Douglas County commissioners have expanded the free, app-based Link On Demand rideshare service to cover the entire city of Castle Rock [1].

The expansion aims to improve accessibility and mobility for residents by providing on-demand transportation options across the county. This initiative serves as a pilot program to test the viability of demand-free transit in the region [1, 2, 3].

To facilitate the growth of the service, the commissioners approved funding of nearly $2 million [1]. This financial commitment allows the program to scale its operations to meet the needs of a larger population within the Castle Rock area [1].

Link On Demand utilizes a mobile application to connect passengers with available rides. The service is designed to be flexible, allowing users to request trips without following a fixed route or schedule [1, 2, 3].

While the current focus is the expansion into Castle Rock, the program continues to serve other areas within Douglas County. These locations include Lone Tree, Parker, and Highlands Ranch [1, 2, 3].

The program first launched as a pilot in the summer of 2024 [1]. By extending the service area, the county intends to gather more comprehensive data on ridership patterns and the overall effectiveness of the on-demand model in a suburban environment [1].

Local officials said the service is a way to bridge transportation gaps for those who may not have consistent access to private vehicles or traditional bus lines [1, 2, 3].

“Douglas County has approved nearly $2 million to expand the free, app-based Link On Demand rideshare service.”

The expansion of Link On Demand represents a shift toward 'micro-transit' in Colorado, where traditional fixed-route buses are replaced or supplemented by flexible, app-driven services. By funding this pilot with nearly $2 million, Douglas County is testing whether a subsidized, demand-responsive system can reduce traffic congestion and provide a scalable alternative to private car ownership in rapidly growing suburban hubs.