Core Transit

What Core Transit does

Core Transit is the operating brand of the Eagle Valley Transportation Authority (EVTA), a regional public transit authority serving Eagle County, Colorado. Created by voter approval in November 2022 and officially launched in July 2024, Core Transit succeeded ECO Transit (established 1996) and consolidated transit services across the region. The authority operates five fixed bus routes (Valley Route, Highway 6 Route, Minturn Route, Leadville Route, and the seasonal Avon/Beaver Creek Connector), ADA-compliant paratransit services, and a suite of digital tools including a mobile ticketing app (iOS/Android), real-time bus tracking at track.coretransit.org, rider alerts, and an Open Finance transparency platform. Two customer service offices in Gypsum and Vail provide in-person support.

The business model is overwhelmingly tax-funded rather than fare-driven. Approximately 98% of revenue comes from two dedicated sales taxes: the pre-existing Eagle County Mass Transit Sales Tax and a new 0.5% sales tax approved by voters in November 2022, which funds service expansion, fare-free travel in member jurisdictions, and the Minimum Revenue Guarantee program for Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) air service. Fares are only collected for travel to/from EGE Airport, Gypsum, and Leadville (non-member jurisdictions); all other routes are fare-free within the eight member jurisdictions (Avon, Eagle, Minturn, Red Cliff, Vail, Beaver Creek Metro District, Eagle County, and another approved in November 2022). Additional revenue comes from state and federal grants, including over $1 million in federal funding for future transit improvements. Pricing tiers include single passes ($3–$7), 24-hour passes ($6–$14), 30-day passes ($63–$200), senior and military discounts, and a youth fare-free program extended through winter 2026-2027.

Core Transit serves a broad base of nearly 1.9 million annual riders across diverse segments: general public riders, workforce commuters (e.g., Leadville–Vail), paratransit users, youth (18 and under), seniors (60+), and airport travelers accessing EGE. The agency employs approximately 110 team members and maintains a 99%+ trip completion rate. In 2024, it was named Colorado's Large Community Transit Agency of the Year by the State of Colorado.

Name

Core Transit

Legal name

Eagle Valley Transportation Authority

Website

https://coretransit.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Core Transit is a regional public transit authority serving Eagle County, Colorado with five fixed bus routes, paratransit, and fare-free travel on most routes, funded by a voter-approved sales tax and serving nearly 1.9 million annual riders across eight member jurisdictions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transit Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Special Needs Transportation (485991)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Transit Agencies (Bus, Rail, Metro, Paratransit) (BPAIALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

ADA/Accessible Paratransit (Complementary to Fixed-Route Transit) (THAIAHAA), Community & Senior Transportation Shuttles (Dial-a-Ride, Non-ADA) (TLAFAJAI)

Keywords

• Public bus transit
• Regional transit services
• Paratransit transportation
• Mobile transit ticketing
• Fare-free transit

Headquarters

HQ city

Gypsum

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Sales Tax Revenue: Core Transit is primarily funded through two dedicated sales taxes accounting for approximately 98% of revenue. The first is the Eagle County Mass Transit Sales Tax previously supporting ECO Transit. The second is a new 0.5% sales tax approved by voters in 2022, supporting service expansion, fare-free travel in member areas, and funding for programs like the Minimum Revenue Guarantee for air service at Eagle County Airport.
2. Fare Revenue: Fare revenue collected from non-member jurisdictions including Gypsum and Leadville. Most routes are fare-free for member jurisdiction riders. Fares apply for travel to/from EGE Airport, Gypsum, and Leadville.
3. State and Federal Grants: Additional funding comes from state and federal grants. Core Transit has secured over $1 million in federal funding for future transit improvements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Core Transit operates regional public bus transportation across Eagle County, Colorado through five fixed routes (Valley Route, Highway 6 Route, Minturn Route, Leadville Route, and the Avon/Beaver Creek Connector) along with ADA-compliant curb-to-curb paratransit service. The service is fare-free for most riders within member jurisdictions, with fares collected only for travel to and from Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), Gypsum, and Leadville. Digital products include a mobile fares app for iOS/Android, a real-time Bus Tracker, and a public Open Finance transparency platform.

Product overview

Core Transit operates as a regional multimodal transportation authority serving Eagle County, Colorado with a network of five fixed bus routes (Valley, Highway 6, Minturn, Leadville, and Avon/Beaver Creek Connector) plus paratransit services. The service portfolio centers on fare-free transit on most routes funded by a half-penny sales tax, with fares required only for EGE Airport, Gypsum, and Leadville destinations. Digital products include the Core Transit Mobile Tickets app for mobile fare purchasing, the Bus Tracker platform for real-time tracking, Rider Alerts for service updates, and the Open Finance transparency platform. Additional offerings include various fare products (single passes, 24-hour passes, 30-day passes, senior and military discounts), reloadable cards, printed tickets, and customer service offices in Gypsum and Vail. The system serves nearly 1.9 million annual riders with a 99%-plus trip completion rate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Valley Route All-day fixed bus route connecting Vail to Dotsero with stops in Avon, Edwards, Eagle, EGE Airport, and Gypsum along the I-70 corridor. Free to ride within member jurisdictions; fares required for travel to/from EGE and Gypsum.
• Highway 6 Route Local fixed-route bus service running between Vail and Edwards with stops in Eagle-Vail and Avon, serving shorter local trips and commutes. Fare-free across the entire route.
• Minturn Route Fixed bus route connecting Vail to Red Cliff with stops in Eagle-Vail and historic Minturn, marketed as one of the most scenic rides in the system. Fare-free on all stops.
• Leadville Route Morning and evening commuter bus service connecting Vail to Leadville with stops in Minturn and Red Cliff. Fare required for travel to/from Leadville.
• Avon/Beaver Creek Connector Seasonal express service operated by Town of Avon Transit in partnership with Core Transit, providing express service between Avon and Beaver Creek Village with connections to the regional route network. Fare-free.
• Paratransit Services ADA-compliant curb-to-curb transportation for individuals unable to use fixed-route buses. Includes origin-to-destination services, reasonable modification requests, and accessibility accommodations for ADA-eligible riders.
• Core Transit Mobile Tickets App Mobile application for purchasing transit fares for travel to and from EGE Airport, Gypsum, and Leadville. Free to download on iOS and Android; the easiest way to purchase and activate mobile fare passes.
• Bus Tracker (Real-Time Tracking) Web-based real-time bus tracking tool providing live bus locations, estimated arrival times, and trip planning capabilities. Available 24/7 at track.coretransit.org.
• Open Finance Platform Online transparency platform providing interactive charts, graphs, and dashboards showing Core Transit's budgets, revenues, expenditures, and financial reports. Enables public access to how transportation is funded.
• Customer Service Offices In-person customer service at two physical locations: Gypsum (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10am-3pm) and Vail (7 days a week 7am-5pm), offering bilingual assistance, fare purchases via reloadable cards and printed tickets, and lost & found services.
• Fare Products and Passes Multi-tier fare products for travel on Gypsum and Leadville routes, including Single Pass ($3–$7), 24-Hour Pass ($6–$14), 30-Day Pass ($63–$200), Senior Passes (4-Pack $4 or Annual $25), and Military Discount passes (50% off). Available via mobile app or at customer service offices with reloadable cards ($6 setup fee) or printed tickets. Ages 18 and under travel free on all routes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1.9 million annual passenger trips
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Town of Avon TransitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeasonal Avon/Beaver Creek Connector is operated by Town of Avon Transit in partnership with Core Transit, providing express service between Avon and Beaver Creek Village with easy regional connections throughout the valley.
• EGE Air AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough Core Transit's support of the EGE Air Alliance's Minimum Revenue Guarantee program, the agency helped Eagle County Airport soar to new heights. This partnership enhances air service at Eagle County Regional Airport.
• Eagle Valley Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting the MIRA Bus program that brings resources directly into neighborhoods throughout the valley, helping community members who may face barriers accessing services.
• Member Jurisdictions (Avon, Eagle, Minturn, Red Cliff, Vail, Beaver Creek Metro District, Eagle County)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeven member jurisdictions that created the Eagle Valley Transportation Authority (EVTA) in November 2022, bringing together Avon, Eagle, Minturn, Red Cliff, Vail, and the Beaver Creek Metro District to improve regional transit. Gypsum and Leadville are not currently members.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA): Regional transit authority serving the Colorado I-70/Aspen corridor (Pitkin, Garfield, Eagle counties) with fixed-route bus service, paratransit, and fare-free segments. Closest direct comparable to Core Transit in geography, funding model (sales tax), and rider profile.
• Summit Stage: Free public transit system serving Summit County, Colorado (Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, Copper Mountain). Mirrors Core Transit's mountain resort fare-free model and ridership base of ski-season commuters and visitors.
• Mountain Express (Aspen): Free local bus service within the City of Aspen and to surrounding Pitkin County areas. Comparable Colorado mountain resort transit agency with year-round and seasonal service to similar rider demographics.
• Breckenridge Free Ride: Free local public transit serving the Town of Breckenridge and adjacent areas. Direct peer given its fare-free model, mountain resort service area, and similar scale of operations.
• Mountain Line (Missoula Urban Transportation District): Mid-sized public transit agency serving Missoula, Montana with fixed-route bus service, paratransit, and fare-free pilot programs. Comparable agency size, ridership scale, and small-city/mountain-region service area.

Regional players

• Town of Avon Transit: Owns and operates the seasonal Avon/Beaver Creek Connector in partnership with Core Transit. Comparable local government transit operator in the same Eagle County geography, scaling up services for the same resort population.

Broad incumbents

• Transdev: One of the largest private transit contractors in North America, operating fixed-route, paratransit, and shuttle services for public agencies. Comparable to Core Transit in operating fixed-route bus and paratransit services, although at national scale.
• MV Transportation: Major private contractor providing paratransit, fixed-route, and shuttle services to public transit agencies nationwide. Closest direct paratransit comparator and a potential operating partner for Core Transit's ADA services.
• Uber: On-demand ride-hailing platform that competes with public transit for trips in mountain communities, including Eagle County. Relevant broader mobility competitor for non-commuter, long-distance, and paratransit trips.

Others

• Masabi: Mobile ticketing platform vendor powering Core Transit's Justride/Core Transit Mobile Tickets app. Ecosystem enabler rather than direct competitor, but key technology partner and comparable to other vendor relationships in the transit technology stack.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/coretransit.en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/core-transit-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/coretransit

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Core Transit