Bustang will provide rides to Estes Park for fifth consecutive year, adds Juneteenth
DENVER (KDVR) — Beginning Saturday, May 25, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Bustang will resume trips between Estes Park and the Denver/Boulder area.
CDOT plans to have the Bustang to Estes route make two roundtrips on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays — Memorial Day and Labor Day. In addition, the routes will be available on Wednesday, June 19, for Juneteenth National Independence Day. Juneteenth is also a free entrance day for National Parks.
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The Bustang to Estes service during 2024 will last through Sunday, Sept. 29, and corresponds with two additional free days at National Parks: Saturday, Aug. 4., which is the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, and Saturday, Sept. 28, which is National Public Lands Day.
Paul DesRocher, director of CDOT’s Division of Transit and Rail, said the agency’s partnership with the surrounding communities helps with traffic congestion, improves park and town access, decreases parking concerns and emissions and supports visitors.
“Summer is the perfect time to explore Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, two of the most popular areas for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts in our state,” said DesRocher in a release.
Estes Park Mayor Gary Hall said the Bustang to Estes service signals the start of summer in Estes Park.
“Our mission-aligned partnership with CDOT helps us advance our transit goals to enhance the experience of accessing downtown for both locals and visitors,” Hall said in a release. “It helps us improve the multimodal transportation options to provide convenient alternatives for those who choose not to drive and park and identify cost-effective options to meet future parking and access needs in a way that promotes continued economic vitality for the Town. Welcome back, Bustang!”
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The Bustang coaches are equipped with restrooms, bike racks, Wi-Fi, power outlets and USB ports, as well as storage under the coach for extra luggage, like hiking gear, climbing tools or biking gear.
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Bustang customers who are headed into Rocky Mountain National Park will be dropped off and picked up at the RMNP Park & Ride parking area and transit on Bear Lake Road. RMNP has free in-park shuttle buses to access destinations along the Bear Lake corridor, but all visitors are required to have a valid RMNP entrance pass. Bustang passengers do not need a timed entry reservation permit for RMNP.
Passengers can board the bus to Estes at Denver’s Union Station, the U.S. Highway 36 and Sheridan Station, the Broomfield Station, U.S. 36 and McCaslin Station, the Boulder Junction at Depot Square Station or Lyons.
The roundtrip costs $15, and discounts are available for children, seniors, individuals with disabilities and students. A full schedule of travel options is available online at ridebustang.com/estes-park/schedules.
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