Finding a safe and sober ride home after a night on the town in Durango can be tricky. But soon, residents will have another option with the return of the Buzz Bus, a free ride program that was nixed by the city after ridership dropped in 2015.
The Buzz Bus was a free on-demand service that took people from downtown bars and restaurants to their homes. But ridership fell steeply in 2015. The city continued the service through a contract with Durango Cab, said Sarah Hill, transportation director. But ridership still dived and the Buzz Bus service ended once and for all – or so one might think.
Kelsie Borland, executive director of The Hive Durango, a youth nonprofit, said one of The Hive’s biggest focuses is sober support services. The Hive provides youth services, such as a sober music venue and a skate park, but it serves the greater community as well when it can.
Durango has a popular drinking scene, Borland said. There were 240 DUI-related arrests in 2021, according to Durango Police Department data. Of those arrests, 47 involved traffic crashes, said Tessa Reinhart, DPD crime analyst.
Given the rate of crashes and DUI-related arrests last year, the minds behind The Hive decided to use a 14-passenger bus it purchased in January to give free rides to people who need them.
“I contacted the city and we’re drawing up a contract right now with their full support,” Borland said this week. “We want to offer it on the weekends and see how it goes.”
The Buzz Bus looks a little different in its latest incarnation. The Buzz Bus 2.0 is a traditional school-bus yellow. It has a rear license plate that reads “HIVEDGO.”
The bus also has a handicap-accessible lift and door to service a diverse group of riders, Borland said.
She said youth members of The Hive will eventually get to design and paint their own mural that will be displayed on the sides of the bus.
The Hive has already put the bus to use for getting kids to youth activities. Part of the larger plan for the bus is to use it to escort children to summer programs and take them on trips to tour other communities’ skate parks.
Borland will be the primary driver for the bus, she said. She will also be accompanied by a “ride ambassador,” who will help her navigate during late night drop-offs.
The Buzz Bus will run from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, according to a news release from The Hive. If all goes according to plan, the late-night transportation service will begin on Friday.
The bus route is a broad loop around Durango that starts at the downtown area near bars such as El Rancho and The Garage on west Eighth Street, Borland said. It includes Fort Lewis College, J. Bo’s Pizza & Rib Co. on Florida Road and Union Social House on Main Avenue.
The route won’t be consistent with timed stops like the city trolley service, because the Buzz Bus is an on-demand service, Borland said.
She added that while the service will be offered free of charge, The Hive will accept donations. Anyone who wants to support the Buzz Bus service or The Hive and its other programs can contact Borland at kelsie@hivedgo.org.
Borland cited Durango police statistics in a news release announcing the Buzz Bus’ return. DPD was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Colorado Department of Transportation for its enforcement of drunken and impaired driving during the organizations’ joint 2021 Law Enforcement Champions banquet, said Police Chief Bob Brammer.
Durango Officer Colin Harvey was recognized for Outstanding Individual Dedication to Impaired Driving Enforcement in 2021 and DPD was recognized in the Outstanding Team Dedication to Impaired Driving Enforcement.
cburney@durangoherald.com
