One of the biggest obstacles for people using public transportation is often referred to as the last mile, the hassle of getting from a stop or a station to the final destination. To help commuters overcome the problem of the last mile, the City of Lone Tree has teamed up with local employers for nearly two years to help connect the train station to the work station via the Lone Tree Link.

The Link, a free shuttle service, connects local businesses to the end-of the-line light rail stop at Lincoln Station.

“We've made a big investment in Lone Tree for the light rail, and to really maximize that investment, the missing piece has been the first and last mile,” City Manager Seth Hoffman said. “Our solution over the last two years is the Lone Tree Link.”

Charles Schwab employee Kelly Leavitt said the ability to commute on the light rail and to connect to her office via the Link was a major factor in her decision to take her current job.

Beginning at 6 a.m., the vans run an “employer loop” every 10 minutes. Departures and arrivals from Lincoln Station typically coincide with the light rail schedule, and after 10 a.m. and through 7 p.m., the route expands to a “full loop,” which adds stops in the Entertainment District, which is in the area of the movie theater.

“It is especially convenient during the winter,” said Ada Kok, a Schwab private client Investment Advisory Financial Adviser, who rides RTD on most days and views the light rail and the Link as a good alternative to driving.

According to Hoffman, the response from the passengers has been overwhelmingly positive, especially toward the friendliness of the drivers with more than 92 percent of those responding giving high praise to the level of customer service.

From its inception on Sept. 17, 2014 through May 31, 2016, the Link has carried 114,208 riders.

“When you think of that in terms of cars off the road, that's a really impressive number. I think that this number indicates the success that we've had. It's been an extremely popular solution,” Hoffman said.

To create the Link, the city joined financial forces with funding partners Charles Schwab, Level 3 Communications, Denver South Transportation Management Association, Sky Ridge Medical Center and Park Ridge Corporate Center.

“Charles Schwab has close to three quarters of the boardings," he said. “Sky Rridge is the second largest followed by Park Ridge."

For more information, go to www.lonetreelink.com