RTD terminates contract with Greyhound at Denver Union Station

Greyhound's bus service is getting kicked out of Denver's Union Station.  

The Regional Transportation District says safety concerns are their primary reason for not renewing the contract.

RTD said that Greyhound has quote "abandoned buses and its customers" on multiple occasions over the last four years -- including overnight.

RTD says long layovers from the private bus service have led to crowding and loitering at the downtown hub.

In 2020 Greyhound sold its downtown station near 19th and Curtis Street and began paying RTD $600,000 a year to use the underground concourse at Union Station.

RTD says it will not renew the contract after it expires next August.

CBS News Colorado received this statement from a spokesperson at Flix North America which runs the Greyhound buses:

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.