Bustang completes first year, exceeds ridership estimates

Bustang bus at CDOT headquarters. Image credit: NFRMPO

Bustang has completed its first year of service, with ridership exceeding first year expectations. More than 100,000 riders have ridden the service as of the end of June 2016, which is 15,000 more riders than initial estimates. Revenue is also higher than expected, totaling $1,014,781 instead of $647,817. Higher ridership and farebox revenue worked together to allow the service to reach 38 percent farebox recovery, instead of the expected 30 percent.

In the first year, Saturday and Sunday trips were added to the West Route, from Glenwood Springs to Denver, and the RamsRoute provided a weekend roundtrip from Fort Collins to Denver. Fares range from $9 to $28, depending on which route and destination. Potential expansion may include Grand Junction, Pueblo, and Greeley.

For more information, read the article on the Denver Business Journal. For more information about the Bustang service, visit the CDOT website.