Bustang Outrider now serving northeastern Colorado

Sterling - Bustang Outrider’s new route, connecting Sterling to Greeley and Denver launched today. The service fulfills a demand for statewide transit connections between the cities and towns of northeastern Colorado, the Front Range, and other areas of the state.

“We’re thrilled to provide this connection so that people in northeastern Colorado have another transportation option to travel to the Denver Metro Area and beyond. This service improves access to medical facilities, recreation activities, DIA, and much more,” said Amber Blake, Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Division of Transit and Rail. “Bustang Outrider’s mission is to provide connectivity and increased access to transportation options in every region across the state, and this Sterling route is a valued addition to our transit transportation network.”

To mark the start of service, Outrider hosted a celebration event on Nov. 1 at the Logan County Courthouse in Sterling. Attendees included representatives from CDOT, the Northeast Colorado Association of Local Governments, elected officials and other community stakeholders.

"This new route is unique and covers great distances to get passengers to Greeley and Denver from Sterling," said Kenneth Mooney, Executive Director at NECALG. "We’re glad to serve as the local operator and do our part in offering a wide range of connections from northeast Colorado for passengers to reach statewide destinations."

Outrider’s primary objective is to provide a transportation alternative for travel between rural communities and the state’s larger cities and towns. It includes collaborating with local agencies to ensure Coloradans get reliable bus service, convenient connections, and consistent fares.

Passenger stops for the Sterling-Greeley/Sterling-Denver route include:

• Sterling
• Merino (flag stop*)
• Hillrose (flag stop*)
• Brush
• Fort Morgan
• Log Lane Village
• Wiggins (route splits at Wiggins and alternates between Greeley and Denver)

Greeley route:

• Kersey
• UCHealth Greeley Hospital
• North Colorado Medical Center
• Greeley Evans Transit

Denver route:

• Keenesburg
• Lochbuie
• Aurora (Peoria Station Park-n-Ride – DIA connection)
• Denver (Denver Union Station – DIA connection)

* Buses only stop at flag stops if requested by passengers.

Outrider vehicles hold 14 passengers and two wheelchairs. Amenities include USB ports, power outlets, Wi-Fi and bike racks.

The Sterling-Greeley/Sterling-Denver route currently operates five days a week, pending demand for weekend service. Buses will run three days per week to Greeley (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and two days to Denver (Tuesday and Thursday). It follows the same payment model as other Outrider routes, with a price point of 17 cents per mile. Seniors (65 years and older), children 2-11 and disabled individuals ride the bus at half price. Caretakers for disabled individuals and children younger than 2 years old ride free. Below are one-way trip prices along the route:

• Sterling-Wiggins ($11)
• Sterling-Greeley ($17)
• Sterling-Denver ($22)

Outrider currently serves seven routes: Alamosa — Pueblo, Craig — Denver, Crested Butte — Denver, Durango — Grand Junction, Lamar — Colorado Springs, Telluride — Grand Junction and Sterling —Greeley/Sterling — Denver.

Bustang Outrider routes, maps, schedules, ticket purchasing and more at RideBustang.com. Follow service alerts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @RideBustang. Riders can purchase tickets through the new Bustang Outrider mobile app that is available to download from Google Play and the App Store or pay when boarding the bus using cash only (no bills larger than $20). Passengers can purchase tickets on all buses from each Park-n-Ride that Bustang Outrider serves. To sign up for Outride text alerts, visit RideBustang.com/Text-Outrider or text “OUTRIDER” to 833-711-0252.