The Regional Transportation District is considering the reinstatement of the BroncosRide special game-day bus service for the 2027 football season [1, 2, 3].
This potential return aims to improve the fan experience for those traveling to Empower Field at Mile High. However, the move comes as the agency navigates severe financial instability and workforce challenges that previously led to the service's removal.
BroncosRide provides transportation between Denver-area Park-N-Ride stations and the stadium [1, 2]. The service was suspended before the 2020, 2021, and 2022 football seasons [1] and was permanently discontinued in 2023 [1]. Reports on the length of the service's absence vary, with some sources citing a five-year suspension [3] and others stating the service has been absent for eight years [2].
RTD previously suspended the shuttles due to driver shortages and concerns regarding equity [2, 3]. The agency is now weighing a pilot program to bring the service back for the next fall season [1, 2, 3].
The proposal arrives during a period of significant fiscal distress for the transit provider. RTD is currently facing a budget shortfall of $215 million [5]. To address this gap, the agency plans to cut bus and train service by up to 20% starting in 2027 [5].
Officials are evaluating how to balance the desire to restore fan amenities with the necessity of broader system cuts. The decision on whether to reinstate the game-day service will likely depend on the agency's ability to secure enough drivers and funding to sustain the routes without further compromising essential transit services.
“RTD is considering the reinstatement of the BroncosRide special game-day bus service for the 2027 football season”
The potential return of BroncosRide highlights a tension within RTD's strategic planning. While the agency seeks to restore high-visibility services to improve the city's image and fan experience, it is simultaneously preparing for deep systemic cuts to core transit. This suggests a shift toward prioritizing specialized, potentially revenue-generating or high-impact pilot programs while the general public faces a reduction in daily commuting options.
