Intercity and Regional Bus Network Plan

Overview

This Plan is an update of the 2008 Plan.  Since the completion of the 2008 Plan, the Division of Transit and Rail was established within the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery (FASTER) Act passed proving state funding for regional and interregional transit services. There also have been a number of changes to the intercity and regional bus network including the addition of FLEX regional bus service between Fort Collins and Longmont and the elimination of FREX regional bus service between Colorado Springs and Denver. In addition, Regional Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on the Highway 82 corridor between Glenwood Springs and Aspen opened in September 2013.

This Plan update, completed in April 2014, focused on the next steps of refining a network plan for both intercity and regional bus routes and building a foundation to support financing and implementation of these services.  The Plan:

  • Identified goals for the development of the intercity and regional bus networks.
  • Identified station and connectivity needs.
  • Defined preferred networks for intercity and regional bus services.
  • Identified a phased implementation plan for the intercity and regional bus networks.
  • Identified policy, performance, and financing issues associated with implementing the preferred networks.

Click here to access the Intercity and Regional Bus Network Plan.

Definitions

There is some overlap between the terms intercity bus and regional bus and their definitions have changed over time.  Thirty years ago Greyhound and other carriers operated a comprehensive network of intercity services but today they focus only on connecting key cities.  Regional services have developed to provide connections that are no longer provided by private intercity carriers.

Intercity Bus Service is regularly scheduled bus service that connects two or more urban areas, and serves passengers traveling long distances.  It serves the general public, can transport passengers’ baggage, and makes meaningful connections with national intercity bus service to more distant points.  Intercity bus generally operates with only a few trips each day, but usually operates every day.  Greyhound is a major provider of intercity services.

Regional Bus Service also crosses jurisdictional lines, but may operate within rural regions or connect to an urban area.  Regional services are generally 20 - 60 miles in length.  Regional services are often geared around certain markets (e.g., workers or airport shuttles) and operate on schedules geared to these markets.  Regional services may also be designed to serve people who need to travel long distances to access government services, medical trips, or other destinations.  Some regional services operate only one to two trips each day while others have robust schedules.

Regional services in Colorado include many routes operated by RTD connecting suburban communities to the Denver CBD, services operated to resort communities, and services providing access to medical and other services.

Documents

A number of technical reports were developed during this Plan update. Links to these documents and the final document can be found here.