Fort Collins, CO – In the heart of Colorado State University (CSU), transportation plays a pivotal role in the daily lives of students. Speaking with individuals to understand their experiences, shedding light on the strengths and areas that need improvement.

Nylah Walker, a First-Year Psychology Major

            Nylah Walker, a first-year Psychology major residing in the Edwards domes, primarily relies on walking for her campus commute and takes about 15 minutes to get to classes. While she recognizes the benefits of having a bike, the cold fall weather has made her think twice about utilizing it. She shares her thoughts on the challenges posed by weather conditions, stating, “when it is colder, it is harder to get to class.” Walker emphasizes the importance of well-maintained roads, saying, “if it is hard to get people to where they need to, it is good to rethink about canceling class.”

            Walker, who occasionally uses the bus, appreciates the accessibility, stating, “it was easy for me to navigate and get on buses with the bust stop on campus or on my phone.” When asked about potential solutions, she believes the campus transportation is effective, with clean roads ensuring safety and accessibility.

Anonymous, a Second-Year Psychology Major

            A second-year Psychology student who wants to stay anonymous, resides off-campus in apartments relies on biking for their campus commute and takes about 15 minutes to get to class. The student weighs in on weather-related challenges, noting, “If it snows enough and the streets are plowed, then I might bike.” The student, satisfied with the university’s transportation services, emphasizes the convenience of bikes: “Bikes are fine besides registering it on campus. Pretty convenient and makes student life easy.”

            Expressing contentment of the Ram Horn bus rides, the student acknowledges the challenges of third-party rides: “Spin, you would have to pay, and I have my bike, so I don’t quite use it.” The interviewee highlights the efficient and convenient nature of the university’s transportation services.

Anna Russo, Specialist in Public Engagement

            Anna Russo, a specialist in Public Engagement, offers a broader perspective on transportation in and around Fort Collins. Highlighting the city’s robust bus network, Russo states, “10 different bus routes to CSU to get you where you need,” with a frequency ranging from every 10 to 60 minutes. She applauds the city’s commitment to road maintenance, emphasizing, “all the city streets are well taken care of.”

            Speaking about third-party rides, Russo mentions the late-night Gold Route bus, catering to students’ weekend needs. On Friday and Saturday, the Gold Route bus runs until 3 am. She acknowledges the city’s partnership with Spin scooters and bikes, providing convenience to the community members. Russo sheds light on the city’s proactive approach to roads and sidewalk maintenance, mentioning street maintenance program and accessible reporting through Access Fort Collins.

            Russo concludes by highlighting the city’s emphasis on biking, incorporating more bike lanes through initiatives like “FC Moves.”

Julie Pignataro, District 2 City Councilmember

            Julie Pignataro, a City Councilmember representing District 2, provides insights into the overall state of transportation in Fort Collins. Acknowledging the city’s platinum level for biking, she also puts emphasis on the need to prioritize safety.

            Pignataro recognizes the dependency on cars in the city’s outskirts and addresses road conditions, stating, “Not many potholes in the city for that long.” Discussing the budget for snow management, she notes an evolving increase due to climate change.

            On the topic of Spin bikes and scooters, Pignataro advocates for thoughtful planning and highlights the importance of maintaining single trips for safety and environmental benefits.

            In summary, these interviews offer a comprehensive view of transportation challenges and solutions to Fort Collins, having the perspective of both students and city officials, As the city continues to evolve, the focus remains on creating a safer, more accessible, and sustainable transportation system for all.