CDOT launches Trinidad to Pueblo Bustang Outrider route with a month of free rides
The Colorado Department of Transportation will offer free rides on the Trinidad-Pueblo Bustang Outrider from March 23 to April 30 to celebrate the launch of the new bus route.
Through the route, Bustang riders in Pueblo will have access from the Pueblo Transit Center, 123 Court St., to stops in Colorado City, Walsenburg, Aguilar and Trinidad. The Trinidad-Pueblo route also connects with other Bustang routes touching destinations in Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins and Grand Junction, among others.
The Trinidad-Pueblo route will offer northbound and southbound rides Monday through Friday. It is the third Bustang Outrider route to pass through Pueblo but the first with the ability to travel to areas south of the city along Interstate 25.
“There has been interest from people in this area that want to have that alternative and that option to travel up to Pueblo, be it for recreation or for medical services," said Bob Wilson, communications manager for CDOT. "Pueblo provides plenty of medical services that aren’t available in those other areas south of the city."
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WiFi, power outlets and wheelchair accessibility will be provided to riders on the Trinidad-Pueblo route. The Trinidad-Pueblo bus can transport 15 passengers. Unlike larger Bustang vehicles, it does not have restrooms.
To date, there are eight Bustang Outrider routes connecting rural Colorado to cities and towns throughout the state, with Trinidad being the southernmost destination. Each Outrider route connects to the four main Bustang routes connecting Denver to Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Grand Junction.
Bustang also offers “Pegasus” rides along the Interstate 70 mountain corridor, “Snowstang” rides to ski resorts and seasonal rides to Denver Broncos games.
Fares on Bustang routes vary by mileage. After April 30, it will cost $15 for a ride from Pueblo to Trinidad. Other Outrider routes passing through Pueblo include the Alamosa-Pueblo route and the Lamar-Colorado Springs route. Additional Bustang Outrider routes include Craig-Denver, Durango-Grand Junction, Gunnison-Denver, Sterling-Denver/Sterling-Greeley and Telluride-Grand Junction.
On Wednesday, the city of Trinidad celebrated the newest Bustang Outrider route with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a parade down Main Street. As the southernmost destination in Bustang’s network of routes, the Trinidad-Pueblo route also is accessible to Greyhound Bus riders coming from Northern New Mexico.
More information about Bustang schedules, routes and fares can be found on ridebustang.com.
“CDOT’s goal with the Bustang Outrider program and with the Bustang program has been to connect Colorado, especially the rural areas,” said Jennifer Phillips, assistant director of bus operations at CDOT. “The opportunity to connect Trinidad into Pueblo really opens opportunities and connectivity for this area. We’re just thrilled.”
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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo and Trinidad part of newest Bustang Outrider route
