Link on Demand Wins DRCOG Metro Vision Award
On Wednesday, October 4, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) held its annual Metro Vision Awards banquet at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for Performing Arts.
These awards recognize community projects and plans for excellence, innovation, collaboration, and leadership in problem-solving among communities and their partners. This year, the eight Metro Vision Award recipients were grouped into four categories that addressed housing, transportation, support services, and disaster recovery efforts. The City of Lone Tree’s free shuttle service program, Link on Demand, was selected as a recipient of the Community Transportation category award.
Link on Demand Secures Funding for Service Expansion
In addition to this awesome acknowledgment by DRCOG, the City of Lone Tree is also excited to announce the Link on Demand program has been selected for more than $1 million dollars of RTD Partnership Program funding for the expansion of service into neighboring communities.
In early 2023, the Link on Demand program underwent a transformation, in partnership with Via, with a focus on providing a seamless, ‘turn-key’ service. This enhancement was aimed at improving equity and eliminating barriers to accessing the free service. The program has been able to broaden its accessibility by introducing a call center to address transportation equity issues, ensuring everyone can easily access transportation. Link on Demand also serves as a model for innovation and replicability, providing valuable data insights to assist other communities nationwide in initiating similar programs.
The awarded RTD Partnership Program funds, totaling $1,076,000 over the years 2024 and 2025, will further advance the Link on Demand program, enhancing transportation accessibility for all.
Link on Demand: Coming Soon to Meridian
The City of Lone Tree, in collaboration with Denver South, Douglas County, and RTD, is actively working to expand the Link on Demand program to benefit residents of the Meridian Metro District, offering access to medical facilities, retail, and regional and statewide transit options. This expansion aligns with the Denver Region Council of Governments’ (DRCOG) comprehensive plan, known as Metro Vision- offering transportation for all, reducing reliance on automobiles, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The service expansion is expected to kickoff in early 2024.
The City of Lone Tree remains dedicated to clean and sustainable transportation, as demonstrated by past efforts to extend rail lines, construct transit-ready infrastructure, and establish mobility hubs. The commitment extends beyond municipal boundaries, advising other communities on creating and maintaining locally funded transit programs.
For more information on the Link on Demand program, please visit www.cityoflonetree.com/link-on-demand.