Littleton’s Omnibus program, which provides appointment-based bus rides to people who are elderly or disabled, will resume on Feb. 15 after nearly a year hiatus.
At no charge to users, the Omnibus will pick up riders from any point within the city limits of Littleton, and drop them off anywhere within city limits, such as medical appointments, grocery stores, senior centers, places of employment and more. Riders should also schedule their return trip.
Riders can also arrange trips to Kaiser Permanente’s Centennial clinic and the Tri-County Health Department office in Englewood. The Omnibus can also pick up and delivery pre-paid grocery orders within the city limits.
To qualify, riders must live within Littleton city limits, be at least 60 years old, or have a disability. Residents with temporary disabilities may also qualify. Riders must register with the service by calling 303-444-3043.
Previous Omnibus riders are automatically pre-registered and will receive more information by mail.
Reservations for rides can be made up to seven days in advance, and same-day trips can be scheduled as availability allows.
The Omnibus operates from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. The service’s hours have been shortened — before the pandemic, the Omnibus operated until 4 p.m.
Founded in 1974 and previously operated by the City of Littleton, the Omnibus shut down in March 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. The Shopping Cart, a similar bus service that drove a daily fixed route between grocery stores and the Southglenn shopping center, was also shut down.
Over the summer, all three of the City of Littleton’s bus drivers opted into the city’s early retirement program, part of efforts to cut costs during the COVID crisis.
Littleton City Council unanimously agreed to resume the Omnibus service at its Dec. 15 meeting, by contracting the service through Via Mobility Services.
The Shopping Cart program has been discontinued.
“The city will experience cost savings by only paying for hours used, increased flexibility in response to demand, and additional technology to optimize routes and analyze rider usage,” a city news release reads in part.