M
Streets, Highways & Bridges
CDOT’s Bustang displays commitment to reliable transportation
By LAUREN CAGGIANO | The Municipal
Generally speaking, public transit is more cost-effective, efficient and better for the environment than private transit. The Colorado Department of Transportation is leaning into these truths with its commitment to providing routes to and from cities with its Express (IX) bus service that connects commuters along the I-25 Front Range and I-70 Mountain Corridors. By linking major local transit systems together, the Bustang service responds to demand from the traveling public to have a reliable transit alternative along the highest traveled corridors in the state. Bustang is managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation, which 50 THE MUNICIPAL | SEPTEMBER 2021
has contracted with Ace Express Coaches to run Bustang’s North, South and West Line service. The westbound service, which runs daily, including on holidays and weekends, includes such stops as the Denver Union Station, Lakewood and Grand Junction — among others. Each Bustang coach is equipped with a restroom, bike racks, free Wi-Fi, power outlets and USB ports. There is also a wheelchair lift and two wheelchair securement areas on each coach.
ABOVE: By linking major local transit systems together, the Bustang service responds to demand from the traveling public to have a reliable transit alternative along the highest traveled corridors in the state. (Photo provided by Colorado Department of Transportation) Michael E. Timlin, senior manager mobility operations/deputy director of the division of transit and rail, has seen firsthand the advantages of having such a service in place. He came on board in 2013 to launch the bus transit program and has since watched the momentum grow over the years. “We’re ecstatic about how successful it’s been,” he said. “And now we want to
