Bustang, a bus connection between Denver, Colorado Springs and much of the state, will be stopping service at the Tejon Park-n-Ride, citing declining ridership and safety concerns.

The Park-n-ride is located off Interstate 25 at Exit 140 on South Tejon Street in Colorado Springs.

The Bustang stop will be relocating to the downtown bus terminal, located at 127 E. Kiowa St.; the last day of bus service from the Tejon location is Saturday.

On Sunday, the south line serving passengers between Denver and Colorado Springs and the Bustang Outrider’s northernmost stop from Pueblo will be relocated to the downtown terminal.

“Safety issues have become a persistent problem at the Tejon location and are negatively impacting our service and customers,” said Paul DesRocher, director of CDOT Division of Transit and Rail. “By moving this connection to the Downtown Terminal, it’ll improve the experience for not only our Bustang and Outrider passengers but also our bus operators. The Downtown Terminal is a safer location.”

The Tejon Park-n-Ride is close to a popular hangout for homeless people, Dorchester Park. In 2022, the city closed Dorchester’s parking lot in an attempt to shut down what police called a “drive-up, open-air drug sales market,” according to previous coverage by The Gazette.

The city has taken other steps to address safety issues in the park, but it has remained problematic.

On Google, reviewers frequently give the Tejon bus stop low ratings, highlighting unsafe conditions, broken glass, encampments and intoxicated people.

Bustang’s service change will improve service and address declining ridership and safety concerns stemming from the Tejon location, according to a Colorado Department of Transportation news release.

Recently, service was doubled on the south line, from six to 12 weekday round trips. On weekends, it was increased from two trips to six round trips. The Outrider between Colorado Springs and Pueblo has a single daily round trip.

Next season’s Bustang-to-Broncos stop also will be relocated to the downtown terminal.

For more information, including route information, bus schedules and stops, visit www.ridebustang.com.