I can figure the local fathers and mothers of Antonito would not be amused by the prospect of being "lopped off" and seeing a drop in local business (motel, restaurant, trinkets, etc.).
The bus is needed and have used it both ways if you are going to operate the railroad completely with an end-to-end daytrip. The only other way would make it a two-day trip with a motel thrown in at the Antonito or Chama end.
Why do I get the impression that the sands are running out for the CATS? Or is it slow deliberate murder by lack of marketing, customer relations and two towns at either end that have a submerged hostility to Anglo visitors that pay the freight on the CATS (witness the bad service in some of the local eating establishments because you ain't a "local", don't speecha spanish, etc....).