Bustang Outrider program from Trinidad to Pueblo launched, and is free until April 30
by David J. Santistevan Jr.
TRINIDAD — After years of planning, residents in Trinidad have a new way to get north. The Colorado Department of Transportation and South Central Council of Governments launched a new Bustang Outrider route last week. The route will run from Trinidad to Pueblo and back, with stops in Aguilar, Walsenburg, and Colorado City to pick up or drop off riders. To celebrate and help launch the new “Bustang” program, free rides are available until April 30, 2023.
“The idea came about years ago and we now finally have it ready for the public to use. We had to get vehicles ordered, contracts in place,” Aaron Lopez, Director of Transportation at South Central Council of Governments told the World Journal. “We really wanted to launch this program before COVID hit, but it is great to see the program is ready to go. Getting the vehicle here was a difficult task. We will go from providing three round trips a week to about ten round trips a week. People in Trinidad, Aguilar, Walsenburg, and all our surrounding area will have access to the ride for some of their everyday needs. We are very excited to join the “Bustang” Outrider Family and provide more transit options. We hope everyone takes advantage of the free rides through April to see how this “Bustang” service can support their transportation needs.”
Bob Watson, the Colorado Department of Transportations Communications Manager, said in the press conference, ‘The Trinidad to Pueblo route will bridge a transportation gap for southern Colorado communities south of Pueblo.”
A ribbon cutting was held on March 22, 2023 by CDOT, after which the buses traveled in a short parade through Main Street in Trinidad, Colorado along with cars from the local Art Cartopia Museum.
The Trinidad to Pueblo route will operate on weekdays, Monday through Friday, twice a day. Passengers can get tickets for the route using the Outrider mobile app, or with exact cash when boarding the bus. Seniors 65 or older, children ages 2–11 and disabled individuals are eligible for half-price fees. Wheelchair lifts and bike racks are on all buses.
For a one-way trip from Trinidad to Pueblo the fee will be $15, Trinidad to Colorado City $11, Trinidad to Walsenburg $7, Trinidad to Aguilar $4. Outrider prices are set at 17 cents per mile.
To learn more about the “Bustang” Outrider routes, maps, schedules, purchasing tickets and more, go to ridebustang.com. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @RideBustang. Download tickets from the mobile app from Google Play and the App Store for more information visit RideBustang.com/Text-Outrider or text “OUTRIDER” to 833-711-0252. sccog.colorado.gov SCCOG is located at 300 Bonaventure Ave. Trinidad, Colorado. 719-845-1133.
