DENVER – Today, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Transportation celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Bustang – the state-run interregional passenger express bus service that connects major population and employment centers, local and national transit systems, the mountains and plains, and everything in between. Photos from today’s press event are available on Flickr here after 5 p.m.
“This milestone marks ten years of a successful service that Coloradans continue choosing,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. “Over the past decade, Bustang has significantly increased ridership and grown its reach— providing access to an expanding range of popular destinations that serve both residents and visitors. This past year, Bustang served almost four times its initial customer base — helping to reduce traffic congestion, especially in busy areas like the I-70 mountain corridor — with a cleaner alternative.”
Governor Polis speaks at a podium to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of bustang.
Governor Polis and a group pose for a photo in front of a Bustang Bus.
On July 13, 2015, Bustang began providing passenger service on three routes, connecting Denver to Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Glenwood Springs, with an initial ridership of 103,000. Ten years later, it provides service along 20 routes, connects all four corners of the state and has boarded nearly 2.1 million passengers. Annual ridership has more than tripled, growing to 351,000 passenger trips in the twelve months that just concluded. To serve this fast-growing ridership, CDOT has been building out mobility hubs along major corridors to more quickly and conveniently connect riders with local amenities and their next Bustang ride.
“As we mark this milestone, it’s important to look at the range of riders who benefit from the service Bustang provides — ranging from commuters on the I-25 corridor who can take advantage of improved infrastructure that adds efficiency to their commutes, to travelers along I-70 seeking a safe alternative to traversing the mountains in the snow,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Bustang is a national model for how transit can work across urban and rural areas, and provide consumers with more choices.”
As resources have allowed, Bustang continues to expand to meet the state’s transportation challenges and improve service for passengers.
2015: Bustang: Fort Collins-Denver/Colorado Springs-Denver/Glenwood Springs-Denver (weekdays only)
2015: Bustang West Line: Glenwood Springs-Denver – weekend service added
2015: RamsRoute: Fort Collins/CSU-Denver (weekend service)
2016: Bustang to Broncos: Fort Collins-Empower Field/Colorado Springs-Empower Field
2017: Bustang North & South Lines: Weekend service added
2018: Bustang Outrider: Lamar-Pueblo (extended to Colorado Springs-Dec.) Alamosa-Pueblo/Gunnison-
Denver/Durango-Grand Junction 2018: Bustang West Line: Extended from Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction
2019: Bustang to Estes: Denver-Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park (summer weekends/holidays)
2019: Snowstang: Denver-select ski resorts (winter weekends/holidays)
2021: Bustang Outrider: Craig-Denver
2022: Pegasus: Shuttle van service between Denver and Avon
2022: Bustang Outrider: Service extended to Crested Butte
2022: Bustang Outrider: Sterling-Denver/Sterling-
Greeley 2023: Bustang Outrider: Trinidad-Pueblo
2024: Outrider: Service to Denver International Airport via Sterling-Denver route
2024: Bustang North & South Lines: Six to 12 daily roundtrips
2024: Bustang West Line: Four to 15 daily roundtrips
In 2025, CDOT added 25 new coaches, doubling the size of its fleet. The new buses provide the latest in accessibility, safety, and amenities. Expanded daily service provides passengers with more options and less time waiting on three of its most popular routes - the I-25 North and South Lines, increased from six runs to 12, and on the I-70 West Line, which has gone from four to 15 daily runs.
Bustang has also expanded to highly requested destinations, from adding a second round trip between Crested Butte and Denver, to introducing the highly requested Denver International Airport service to the Sterling-Denver route.
To make Bustang and local transit more convenient and accessible, CDOT and local partners have constructed three mobility hubs along I-25 in Northern Colorado, improving regional bus service and rider convenience. Mobility hubs expand access to the Bustang network, connecting communities, and help reduce traffic congestion.
Additional mobility hubs along the I-25 corridor are under construction at CO 7 in Thornton/Broomfield and Lone Tree, with more in the planning and design phases in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Idaho Springs, Grand Junction and Fairplay.
Finally, Bustang has a redesigned website with additional information about local transit options and Bustang connections, making it easier to access the schedule and plan a trip.
For the latest information on riding Bustang, including route schedules, fares, and ticket purchases, please visit www.ridebustang.com.
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