CDOT Launches Mobile Ticketing App for Bustang Outrider

DENVER – People who want to travel on Bustang Outrider now have another option for purchasing tickets in a cash-free, contactless, and COVID-safe way.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is launching an app that allows a rider to buy a ticket, activate it on their phone, and then present it to the driver when boarding.

“This new mobile app will make Outrider’s ticket purchasing process simpler, safer and more convenient,” said CDOT’s Director of Innovative Mobility Kay Kelly. “We’re looking forward to providing our passengers with a contactless and safe way to purchase their bus tickets anytime, anywhere.”

The app was developed in partnership with Masabi, the company that also created a mobile ticketing app for Bustang, CDOT’s Interregional Express bus service. Both apps can be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store. Please visit ridebustang.com/fares-tickets for more information. Passengers still can purchase tickets with exact cash when boarding the bus.

“Our mission at Masabi is to enable transit agencies to provide their riders with the most accessible and convenient public transit experience,” said Masabi CEO Brian Zanghi. “We are excited to be partnering with Bustang once again to power their new mobile ticketing app, and help build an even safer public transit ecosystem across Colorado that encourages riders back as we move through and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The new app uses a Fare Payments-as-a-Service approach, helping transit agencies access the latest fare payment innovations quickly, via a cloud-native multi-tenant platform like Masabi’s Justride, which is constantly updating and adding new features. This greatly improves the journey experience for riders by enabling constant innovation, helping agencies keep up with the pace of technology change.

Along with the mobile app, Outrider’s new texting service is available for riders to receive real-time alerts about delays, detours, cancellations, schedule changes and more. Texts will allow passengers without an internet connection to receive important Outrider updates. People can subscribe to receive alerts at ridebustang.com/text-outrider, or text “outrider” to (833) 711-0252. When subscribing, riders will have the option to receive alerts for the route(s) that interest them. Standard message and data rates may apply.

In addition, Outrider is now available on Google Transit for passengers to plan their routes and timing. Passengers can visit ridebustang.com/plan-my-trip to plot their trip by inputting start and end locations and preferred arrival and departure times.

Bustang Outrider is CDOT’s regional bus network designed to connect rural Colorado with a single, easy-to-navigate service. Outrider is a subsidiary of Bustang, the larger statewide bus network. Outrider currently services five routes — Durango-Grand Junction, Gunnison-Denver, Alamosa-Pueblo, Lamar-Colorado Springs and Craig-Denver. Working with local bus operators to manage each route, Outrider provides riders with reliable service, new buses, consistent schedules, reduced fare costs, convenient intercity and interstate connections and on-time service. Find more information about routes, maps, schedules at ridebustang.com. Follow Outrider on Facebook and Twitter at @BustangOutrider.

About Masabi

Masabi is bringing Fare Payments-as-a-Service — a better way of delivering fare payments — to public transit agencies and authorities of all sizes around the globe. This enables the delivery of the latest fare payment innovations quickly, using a platform which is constantly updating and adding new features. Not only does this improve the journey experience for passengers, but it helps agencies keep up with the pace of technology change, while reducing the total cost of fare collection. With over 80 agencies of all sizes across 11 countries signed up, Masabi’s Justride is the world’s leading fare payments platform. Masabi has offices in New York, Denver, London, and Cluj, and investors include Mastercard, Shell, and Keolis. For more information, visit masabi.com.