Bus Information and Updates

RTD informed me that all Boulder buses completed the new card reader install this week, HOP buses will be this weekend, and next week they are going to be installing readers on the buses that are stored in the Longmont facility. Students have confirmed that these new card readers are correctly recognizing their transit passes and they are no longer getting the "insufficient funds" error code. If you still encounter problems with your card on these new card readers, please let us know at buspass@colorado.edu

Progress update on Insufficient Funds and card readers

Most student transit pass cards have been updated and recharged in the RTD system, but approximately 2,000 cards are still waiting for a manual update to allow the new card readers to recognize their validity. Students who contact buspass@colorado.edu with their card number are having their cards reviewed by this office and then a daily list is being sent to RTD of cards to prioritize their card updates. As of yesterday, we are seeing some cards that have become valid and recognized by both the new and old card readers. You may experience that buses with the original card readers will recognize your card as valid while the newly installed readers will deny your card. RTD is working through that issue. We are also seeing many cards in the RTD admin portal that have a status of "Recharge - Pending Tap", which means that the card has been updated, but needs to be tapped on a bus card reader before the status changes to fully valid.

Your patience is appreciated while RTD transitions to new card readers and card updates. Drivers have been instructed to continue to let CU students ride the bus regardless of what the onboard card readers say. If you experience and issues with drivers not complying please email us at buspass@colorado.edu

Fall ’22 widespread card reader error

Many students are experiencing rejected taps from their CollegePass transit cards and we are working closely with RTD to resolve this issue. RTD has issued a 2nd bulletin to their drivers reminding them to let CU affiliates board the bus while their technical teams work through fixing the issue. Please don’t go to the Buff OneCard office to get a new card as this will just further complicate the issue and extend the time until you have a functional card.

In short, the problem is a result of all transit pass cards having a preprogrammed expiration date of 7/31/22, which was 10 years after the original deployment of the smart card system. RTD has revised this expiration date in their portal, but the physical card readers and cards can take 72 hours or more before they get updates pushed through.

If you are experiencing persistent problems with your card, please email us at buspass@colorado.edu with your CollegePass card number plus a brief explanation and we work with you to resolve the issue. 

For those wishing to waive their fee, please see this website for eligibility requirements on refunding your Bus Pass Fee through the Environmental Center's Bus and Bike Program.

Let us help you out. Just email buspass@colorado.edu with your name and Bus Pass # (starts with 00xxxxxx). We will take it from there and let you know once we get it repaired. We want to make sure you can ride hassle free and as often as you want!

To reduce the stress and expense of traveling remember that your bus pass will get you to DIA. Unlike most previous semesters, RTD is very short staffed and unable to ramp up their service during the peak student travel days. To keep your stress level low catch an earlier bus than you think you'll need and then have th bus drop you off at the front doors of the airport.  Save your time and money and let RTD Sky Ride drive you to the airport!

CU Boulder is partnering with Transit for real-time tracking of Buff Buses including the late-night routes. Riders can receive alerts for Buff Bus route changes/detours in real time. This will help riders consolidate their transportation needs, making Buff Bus tracking available on an app riders already use to track other services like RTD, the Hop and B-Cycle.

Download the Transit app (and select Buff Bus in your settings) for real time Buff Bus information including real-time arrival predictions, simple trip planning, service alerts and more.

Get Transit on Google Play or in the Apple Store. 

We strive to give our customers; the Students, Faculty, and Staff of CU, the option to easily be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Active tranport (walking, biking, skating, skiing, etc..) and other sustainable modes of transportation (public transit and carpooling) are promoted because of their significant positive impacts on the environment, mental and physical health, economy, social equity, and heck it's way more fun. By use of these modes of transportation we can become a more sustainable campus without making major sacrifices. To the right are various modes of transportation that we support; try to find out which mode is best suitable for your lifestyle and needs. Your student bus pass also gets you discounts around town. Check out the Ecopass website for a list of shops and restarants around town that give discounts when you show your bus pass.