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The North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) has announced that service will continue on its 255 RTD (“Blue Bus”) Mountain Trail route through the fall season until Thanksgiving Day, November 24.

The summer service originally had been planned to conclude August 31. Service for the upcoming winter season is still being finalized while funding contributions are being secured.

During weekends and holidays in September and Balloon Fiesta (October 1 through 10), Ski Santa Fe will be open for its Golden Days of Summer events with fall chairlift rides, La Casa Café operating and, on select days, live music and a beer garden. More information can be found at www.skisantafe.com.

The Mountain Trail route provides service from South Capitol Rail Runner Station to stops through Downtown, Fort Marcy Park and then up Hyde Park Rd. to recreational areas and businesses along NM 475 concluding at Ski Santa Fe. Free park and ride options for local residents are available at South Capitol station and on the north side of Fort Marcy Park in the parking lot north of the bus stop located on Murales Rd. between Old Taos Highway and Bishop’s Lodge Rd.

Please note that due to Zozobra preparations the lots on Murales will be closed Tuesday, August 30 through the morning of Saturday, September 3 and that stop will not be served on Friday, September 2. Park and ride options will be available at the South Capitol Station during those times.

The service provides two roundtrips Monday through Friday and three on the weekends. Labor day service will be operating on a weekend/holiday schedule. There will be no service on Columbus Day and Veterans Day.

Passengers utilizing the service have access to hiking, biking, picnicking and camping along the route -- or they can simply enjoy a ride along the 16-mile nationally designated Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway. Along the route, stops are provided at Dale Ball Trails, Ten Thousand Waves, Chamisa Trailhead, Little Tesuque Picnic Area, Black Canyon Campground, Hyde State Park, Aspen Vista and Ski Santa Fe.

The bus is equipped to accommodate six bikes per trip on a first come, first served basis.

During the non-winter RTD Mountain Trail route service, the cost to ride is $5.00 eastbound (uphill) and fare-free westbound (or downhill). Passengers disembarking at Ten Thousand Waves will be given a token that provides a $5.00 discount on hot tubs, spa services, or food and beverage.

Riders of the route are encouraged to be aware of the fact that vast sections of the mountain remain sacred to Pueblo tribes and Native Americans. The NCRTD acknowledges that concern and has been working with its Pueblo members to provide materials to inform riders to be respectful and to be stewards of the mountain.

Riders are also encouraged to remain respectful of the trails within our state and national forests and always remember that they share the trails, often with hikers, bikers, pets, horses and wild animals.