Traveling from Albuquerque to Durango just got easier with a new Greyhound bus route. Best of Fest 2025 showcases the select short films from the Durango Independent Film Festival and celebrate the start of ski season at Purgatory Resort with opening day activities. You are watching the local news Roundup, brought to you by Gers Ace Hardware and Sky U Casino. I am Sadie Smith. Greyhound expanded its service in the four Corners region with a new bus route that connects Albuquerque to Durango officials and community partners. Gathered on Friday, October 17th at the Animus Valley Mall in Farmington for the ribbon cutting ceremony. To celebrate the routes launch, the route will stop in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Cuba, Farmington, and Durango. Greyhound already served Albuquerque, but hasn't had a stop in Farmington or Durango for several years. Greyhound is owned and operated by Flix North America, who worked with the New Mexico Department of Transportation to plan the route based on community needs. Fls Senior Manager of Government Affairs and Strategic partnerships, Sarah Hammi, says that the city of Farmington and Red Apple Transit were crucial in securing the bus stop in Farmington. Dami says Flix already has received positive feedback from the community regarding the new route.

Yeah, I think this route will have a really positive impact for both residents and visitors or tourists. Again, for residents, it's a really critical service for folks who are looking to access medical services in larger urban areas who might work in larger urban areas, who have family that live in larger urban areas, right? Or maybe they go to school in Albuquerque, for example, or in Durango. And so we're really expanding those mobility options for people who don't want to have to rely on their car. Maybe they don't have a car, or don't want to have to rely on expensive flights. And so we're really happy to be able to fill that gap. And then in terms of tourists as well, it's just another option and another opportunity for folks to be able to see the beautiful state of New Mexico and the beautiful city of Durango. It's a affordable way to do that as well.

Tickets for the new service are available on both the Greyhound and Flex bus websites and mobile apps. The Durango Independent Film Festival presents Best of Fest 2025 at 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 6th at the Durango Arts Center. The event will showcase select short films from the 2025 Film Festival and include a silent auction. Tickets are available online for $20 passes for the 2026 Durango Independent Film Festival in March are also available. All passes purchased in 2025 will be eligible for a 10% early bird discount. For tickets and details, visit durango film.org. The 20 25 20 26 ski season officially begins at Purgatory Resort on Saturday, November 22nd. Celebrate opening day with powdered pancakes in early season. Snow from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM lift. Tickets and passes are available for purchase Children 12 years and under may. Ski for free with a Power Kids Pass. This is purgatory 60th year in operation. For more information, visit the Purgatory Resort website. Learn more about these and other stories online at Durango Local News. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Sadie Smith.