RTD terminates agreement with Greyhound for Denver's Union Station bus concourse

RTD gave notice to Greyhound on Sept. 1 that it intends to terminate an agreement that allows the use of Denver's Union Station underground bus concourse. The five-year agreement between RTD and Greyhound expires on Aug. 31, 2025.

Currently, Greyhound shares the space with RTD where passengers embark and disembark in the underground bus concourse at Union Station. 

RTD and Greyhound entered into a five-year agreement on Aug. 31, 2020. According to RTD, "on multiple occasions, Greyhound has abandoned buses and its customers in the bus concourse overnight. Greyhound's operations also necessitate long waits for transferring passengers, which causes crowding and loitering around Greyhound gates in the concourse. These issues have negatively contributed to RTD's operations and made it more difficult for Transit Police and contracted security personnel to effectively patrol and secure the facility."

In recent years, there have been complaints about a perceived lack of safety among travelers, drug use, and criminal activity in the bus terminal.  

RTD said that in 2023, the agency said it "redoubled its efforts to create a welcoming transit environment for all bus and rail customers, with a specific focus on bolstering security at Denver Union Station."

RTD said they provided the necessary 365-day notice that the agreement with Greyhound will not be extended. 

Flix North America, which is the parent company of Greyhound, disputes that it got proper notice of the termination in a state provided to CBS News Colorado:

We appreciate that RTD acknowledges our eagerness to address any concerns surrounding our operations at Union Station. We are waiting to receive specific information about any recent operational issues.

Our goal is to preserve intercity bus service in downtown Denver—an area that enables people from all walks of life to access affordable long-distance transportation. Our service is especially critical to low-income individuals, retirees, students, and people with disabilities, who depend on equitable and affordable transportation the most.

Our current lease expires in less than 11 ½ months, and this is not enough time to secure an alternative location. Relocating a major intercity bus station typically takes several years to consult with local communities, obtain necessary planning and zoning approvals, secure conditional or special use permits, conduct traffic studies, environmental reviews, and complete construction-related activities.

As we've communicated to RTD recently, we are open to exploring alternative RTD locations that meet the needs of intercity bus passengers—many of whom cannot afford other transportation options or need to reach communities not served by planes or rail.

We also look forward to engaging with other local officials and community groups on this important issue.