Transit centers, functioning as 'hubs', form the core focus for Bustang as the Colorado Department of Transportation endeavors to expand services
Colorado's Mobility Hubs Transform Public Transportation
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is revolutionising public transportation in the state with its network of mobility hubs. These strategic investments are designed to improve connectivity, accessibility, and efficiency, making transit a more appealing option for residents and visitors alike.
CDOT's mobility hubs are centralised points where various transportation modes, such as buses, light rail, and potentially autonomous vehicles, converge to facilitate easier transfers. This seamless integration of different modes of transport enhances the overall user experience and reduces congestion.
One of the key benefits of CDOT's mobility hubs is improved multimodal connectivity. For instance, the Bustang route that connects Fort Collins with Union Station in Denver has returned to pre-pandemic levels of ridership, thanks in part to the convenience provided by these hubs. Bustang buses, like the one used by 62-year-old IBM manager Ron Francis from Loveland, now get to ride in the express lane for much of the distance between Fort Collins and Denver.
Enhanced accessibility is another advantage offered by these hubs. With investments aligned with federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, mobility hubs help ensure more equitable transit access for all users, including those with disabilities.
Mobility hubs also support the adoption of electric vehicles and light-duty vehicle electrification, contributing to statewide goals to reduce pollution and promote sustainable transportation options. By encouraging the use of multimodal transportation, mobility hubs help alleviate road congestion and lower vehicle emissions, thus improving urban livability.
Technology integration is another aspect of these hubs. CDOT’s investments, including partnerships under the RoadX program, suggest mobility hubs could incorporate advanced technologies like real-time information sharing and autonomous vehicle infrastructure, further boosting efficiency and safety.
CDOT's mobility hubs are part of a larger push to create a more connected, accessible, and sustainable public transportation network across Colorado. The network currently includes over 20 Bustang routes serving far-flung locations in the state, including Craig, Durango, Alamosa, Lamar, Crested Butte, and Sterling.
One of the latest additions to this network is the Lone Tree Mobility Hub, expected to open next year. This hub will serve Bustang's South Line, RTD's southeast E-Line light rail, and the Link on Demand shuttle service. Another hub, the Centerra Loveland, serves as a dedicated Bustang stop and cost $15 million to build.
CDOT is also planning to roll out a dozen or so mobility hubs, mostly along I-25 from Fort Collins to Pueblo, with some hubs also planned for I-70 and U.S. 285. However, there are no completion dates set for the hubs in Colorado Springs and Pueblo yet.
For commuters like Ron Francis, the benefits of using Bustang are clear. The $9 one-way ticket to Denver saves wear and tear on his vehicle, keeps his gasoline bill low, and provides peace of mind from not having to fight traffic. Francis listens to music during his bus journey, which takes about 48 miles down Interstate 25 from Loveland to Denver's Union Station.
With the growing popularity of public transportation and the convenience offered by mobility hubs, it's clear that CDOT is on the right track in transforming Colorado's public transportation network.
- The Lone Tree Mobility Hub, set to open next year, will accommodate Bustang's South Line, RTD's southeast E-Line light rail, and the Link on Demand shuttle service, demonstrating the hub's potential to integrate various transportation modes.
- Embracing technology, CDOT's mobility hubs could incorporate advancements such as real-time information sharing and autonomous vehicle infrastructure, thereby amplifying efficiency and safety across Colorado's transportation industry.
- Aligning with federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, mobility hubs improve accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities, thereby ensuring finance for equitable transportation solutions in the transportation industry.
