Podcast: WRTA’s ‘Fare Free Summer’ and what’s next for local transportation with Tim Nichols

(Fremont County, WY)- In this County 10 Podcast episode you hear from with Tim Nichols of WRTA about the agency’s Fare Free Summer and what it means for riders across Fremont County. The program began June 1 and, thanks to corporate sponsorships and private donations, will continue through the end of August. Nichols explains how WRTA serves the county through a fixed-route 96-mile loop running seven times daily, along with on-demand microtransit in Riverton. Riders can access WRTA by calling 856-WRTA or finding more information at gowrta.com. The conversation also covers rising transportation costs, increased ridership during the fare-free period, and how even a small fare can be a barrier for people on fixed incomes. Nichols also addresses recent state and federal funding reductions connected to expired post-pandemic relief funds, as well as an upcoming three-quarter percent sales tax ballot measure that would support local ground transportation, air services, and ambulance services. Nichols shares that WRTA is a government-operated public transit authority under the Fremont County Association of Government and encourages the public to ask questions, request transparency, and learn more about how the system serves Fremont County.