Colorado’s first state-owned and operated interregional bus system, Bustang, exceeded ridership and revenue projections for its first three years of service.
Bustang began operation on July 13, 2015, with the mission of connecting rural locations to urban areas along the I-25 and I-70 corridors.
Ridership in 2018 has averaged 17,000 passengers monthly.
“Usually it takes about a year to build ridership within a new transportation system, but we actually exceeded our projected passenger numbers during our first year of operation,” David Krutsinger, Colorado Department of Transportation director of transit and rail, said. “And we’ve continued to exceed expectations over the last couple of years. That speaks not only to public demand but to the quality of service Bustang offers passengers.”
Service began with three round-trip routes: Colorado Springs to Denver, Fort Collins to Denver, and Glenwood Springs to Denver. Since 2016, additional routes have been added, and more are planned.
Additionally, Bustang Outrider provides four routes: Alamosa to Pueblo, Durango to Grand Junction, Gunnison to Denver, and Lamar to Pueblo.
Bustang and Bustang Outrider alleviate traffic congestion and offer more travel choices for longer-distance commuters, the state said.
The buses are wheelchair accessible and climate controlled, and offer passengers bathrooms, Wi-Fi, power outlets, and USB ports.