In a region known for dispersed employment hubs and growing residential communities, getting to work shouldn’t be a barrier to economic opportunity. That’s the philosophy driving Link on Demand: a free, on-demand transit service helping residents (including seniors and those with disabilities), employees, and visitors navigate Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, and the broader Denver South corridor.

Denver South has served as a key partner and supporter of Link on Demand since its inception, helping fund and expand a program that now provides thousands of rides annually. The service addresses a critical challenge: creating effective transit in suburban contexts where traditional fixed-route systems often fall short. 

According to Dan Raine, Mobility Manager at the City of Lone Tree, the answer lies in embracing innovation. “Microtransit in a suburban context is probably not what one would expect to be a successful model,” Raine explains. “But what it does is it allows for free-flowing movement, responding to demand in real time.”

This article explores how Link on Demand in Lone Tree is an effective microtransit solution that connects workers to jobs, supports Denver South’s economic development goals, and serves as a replicable model for communities across Colorado and beyond.

From Fixed Routes to On-Demand: The Evolution of Link on Demand

The Program’s Origins and Early Years

Link on Demand wasn’t always the responsive, app-based service it is today. The program started as “The Lone Tree Link,” a fixed-route circulator connecting the Regional Transportation District (RTD) light rail line at Lincoln and later RidgeGate Station to employment areas throughout Lone Tree. Major employers like Charles Schwab, a financial services giant headquartered in Denver South, provided early sponsorship.

Having just celebrated its 10-year anniversary, Link on Demand has maintained one consistent principle: it’s always been free to ensure accessibility for all users. This commitment to removing financial barriers has been central to the partnership among Denver South and its jurisdictions (like the City of Lone Tree and Douglas County) since day one.

In 2017, as rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft transformed transportation expectations, Lone Tree piloted a partnership with Via, then a startup, now an international microtransit provider. The shift from fixed routes to on-demand service changed everything for the program.

Pivoting During the Pandemic

When COVID-19 forced Link on Demand to suspend service in 2020, something unexpected happened: the community’s needs proved far beyond commuting. “When we had to suspend the services due to the pandemic, we started getting those phone calls of like, ‘I can’t get to the store. I need help getting into medical services,'” Raine recalls.

This feedback fundamentally reshaped the program. When service resumed six months later, the city added a call center to complement the smartphone app, making Link on Demand accessible to residents who might not be comfortable with technology. The city also consolidated from multiple service providers to Via exclusively, improving efficiency and user experience.

The transformation worked, and in 2019, Link on Demand provided nearly 50,000 rides focused primarily on commuters. As travel revamped after the pandemic, ridership steadily rebounded, and the program exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Raine recalls the evolution simply: “How much it went from commuters to community.”

This remarkable recovery proves that microtransit can thrive in suburban contexts when it adapts to real community needs and prioritizes quality of life alongside employment access.

Solving Suburban Transportation Challenges Through Micro Mobility Solutions

Why Suburban Microtransit is Different

Suburban transportation presents unique challenges. Unlike dense urban areas where fixed-route transit thrives, suburban spaces often have dispersed employment centers, lower residential density, and limited traditional transit infrastructure. 

Traditional fixed-route buses with 30 to 60 minute headways do not usually work well in these environments. According to Via research in 2024 analyzing 14 U.S. cities, demand-responsive microtransit significantly increases connectivity across the entire mobility system. Among 1,600 microtransit riders surveyed, 31% reported using the service to connect to other forms of public transportation, demonstrating how programs like Link on Demand serve as critical bridges within larger transit networks as first and last mile (FLM) solutions.

Link on Demand’s model eliminates the uncertainty and wait times that plague traditional suburban bus service. “What it does is it allows for free-flowing movement, responding to demand in real time…It’s transit that adapts to the user and the user needs,” Raine emphasizes. Riders can track their vehicle in real-time via smartphone, receive updates, and travel efficiently between commercial spaces and multifamily residential areas (the two types of destinations that have consistently driven Link on Demand ridership throughout its evolution).

The Workforce Connection

While Link on Demand serves many purposes, its role in connecting employees to jobs remains central to its mission. The program addresses commuting needs throughout Douglas County, providing access to jobs in Lone Tree, Meridian, and the broader Denver South corridor.

This workforce connection achieves two critical goals: it reduces transportation barriers for businesses attracting and retaining talent, and it enables employees to access quality employment without the costs of owning a vehicle. This is particularly important given Colorado’s high auto insurance and registration expenses.

“Link on Demand has been able to provide access to employment, and it’s been a kind of a core mission of the program that has always been there,” Raine explains. The expansion into Meridian specifically enabled employee trips to Amazon facilities and other major employers.

These efforts align perfectly with Denver South’s economic development mission: supporting businesses as they evaluate relocation and growth opportunities by enhancing employee support through transportation initiatives, incentives, and workforce development programs.

Regional Collaboration and Expansion Success

The Denver South Partnership

Denver South’s partnership with Link on Demand extends beyond just aligning ideas: it includes tangible financial support through the Southeast Public Improvement Metropolitan District (SPIMD). “City of Lone Tree [applies] for this SPIMD funding every single year,” Raine notes. “Denver South provides us the opportunity to [secure] those funds.”

This ongoing commitment helped facilitate Link on Demand’s expansion to Meridian in partnership with Douglas County and RTD funding secured from 2024 to 2027. The expansion demonstrates Denver South’s role in fostering the collaborative environment that connects jurisdictions across the Front Range.

Link on Demand: A Model for Other Communities

The program’s success has inspired replication across Colorado, and Lone Tree now serves as a regional hub, connecting Douglas County residents to RTD light rail and statewide Bustang service. In May 2025, Douglas County launched Link on Demand service in Highlands Ranch, seamlessly integrating with Lone Tree’s existing service using the same Via app. Additionally, Parker will follow with its own expansion in 2026.

Beyond Douglas County, communities including Aurora, Longmont, Brighton, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs, Berthoud, and Denver have adopted similar models. Raine’s team has consulted with each of them, embodying a spirit of regional cooperation: “We’re good partners with everyone… we always pay it forward.”

Supporting Business Growth and Employee Benefits

For Denver South employers, Link on Demand represents an attractive benefit that helps employees easily travel to and from work while taking advantage of all the quality of life opportunities the region offers.

The program’s affordability factor cannot be overstated, as it’s the crux of this successful model. In an era of rising living costs, employees can access quality jobs without the expense of vehicle ownership, insurance, maintenance, and parking. “What I hear often from residents, newer residents that are moving in and they’re living in their higher density areas, are they’re being able to have the quality of life that Douglas County offers without having to own a motor vehicle,” Raine shares.

While Link on Demand is a transit model making strides, it isn’t a standalone service: it’s designed to promote connections to RTD light rail and Bustang statewide transit for expanded reach. This integrated approach means employees can still access employment, services, and recreation throughout the Front Range without a car or as part of a one-car household.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Transit in Denver South

Continued Growth and Innovation

Link on Demand’s momentum continues building. Current infrastructure improvements will further enhance connectivity, including the new Sky Ridge mobility hub currently under construction, which will strengthen connections to Bustang services.

Behind the scenes, Lone Tree is working toward integrating real-time RTD information into the Link on Demand platform, creating even more seamless regional connections. “We want people to have the confidence in transit again,” Raine emphasizes. “Our services are very complementary to RTD.”

Key Lessons for Sustainable Microtransit

For municipalities considering similar programs, Raine offers clear guidance based on a decade of experience:

  • Start with the rider’s perspective: “We always say to start with the rider and try to develop a program through the rider’s perspective on something that’s simple, straightforward to understand,” he advises.
  • Establish clear goals: Set expectations for what the program should achieve, then measure progress against those benchmarks.
  • Maintain flexibility to adapt to changing community needs: Link on Demand’s pivot during the pandemic, from commuter-focused to community-oriented, exemplifies this principle. 
  • Prioritize regional partnerships: Collaboration among Denver South, Douglas County, and RTD has been essential to Link on Demand’s sustainability and expansion.

Smaller, local systems are often at an advantage in implementing these types of transportation projects that cater to specific user needs. Yet recent expansions show that larger urban areas can do so as well when done correctly.

Making the Most of Link on Demand for Your Employees

Link on Demand has evolved from a simple fixed-route circulator into a sophisticated, responsive transit solution that serves as both a practical transportation tool and an innovative suburban model. The program demonstrates that when regional partners commit to collaboration, regions can tackle suburban transportation challenges head on.

For Denver South employers, Link on Demand represents an opportunity to support your workforce while contributing to regional connectivity. Consider sharing information about Link on Demand with your employees, promoting the service as a viable commuting option, and highlighting it as an employee benefit during recruitment.

As Denver South continues attracting businesses and fostering growth, Link on Demand illustrates how innovation and partnership can create real solutions and is changing how people think about suburban transit.

When asked what excites him most about Link on Demand’s potential role in shaping regional mobility, Raine’s answer is simple: “It’s responsive transit.” Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon reinforces this commitment to the future: “We remain committed to continued collaboration with our local and regional partners and businesses to build upon the success of the service that’s getting people where they need to go in our community.”

Want to learn more about how Denver South supports regional transportation initiatives? Contact us to discover how we’re helping businesses and employees thrive through innovative partnerships.