CONEJOS COUNTY — A new transportation service is coming to Conejos County. Mountain Valley Transit will begin serving Antonito, Romeo, Manassa, and La Jara with a free shuttle service between those communities and Alamosa starting Nov. 6.

Mike Bischoff is the executive director of Mountain Valley Transit. The company is based in Salida in Chaffee County as the Chaffee Shuttle.

The Chaffee Shuttle currently has routes from Saguache and Creede to Alamosa. Mountain Valley Transit is funded through Colorado Department of Transportation grants.

“There was a study done in 2022 which determined a need for transportation assistance in the Antonito area," Bischoff said.

The study helped secure a CDOT grant, which made the shuttle service possible in this part of San Luis Valley. He also went to the Conejos County Commissioners, and they approved the service. It is a nine-passenger bus with a lift for wheelchairs. Bischoff noted he could secure additional CDOT grants if there was a need for more wheelchair accessibility or routes.

Mountain Valley Transit Service will be at the Wellness Fair on Nov. 4 at the Antonito Senior Center to answer any questions. For more information, call their dispatch line 719-530-8980 or visit their website MountainValleyTransit.com.