Denver Public Transport Strike & A Lost Foreigner

April 6, 2006 5:00 AM

Denver's public transport is on strike. I'm coming over from overseas this weekend and will need to rely on public transport to get around. Ack! What should I do?

I'm coming over to Denver for a volunteer performance thing and this strike has really messed up my travel plans. I don't drive, I'm living with a host family, and I need to get my own transport - I had good plans, but then this strike comes in and I don't know what to do anymore.

My schedule looks something like this:

First Week:
1) Host mum drops me at Wagon RD PnR at 8 am
2) I take 2 buses to office at Broadway (near 16th Street); reach there by 9 am (120x bus to Market St, and one other bus that takes a minute)
3) Leave office to reach Auraria campus at 3 pm (I could go here with my colleagues, but just in case...)
4) Leave Auraria campus at 9-10 pm and head back to Wagon Rd

Last 3 Days:
Similar, except that instead of going to Auraria, I'll need to go to Teikyo Loretto Heights. Timing's similar, or full day there (so no office).

What I'm worried about are:

a) As far as I could tell, the routes I would need to get anywhere are still operational. However, I don't know if there would be buses with enough space, or if they would STILL be operational, or what.
b) Timing. My host mum will drop me off on her way to work; should we leave earlier? I'll be finishing late at night, how do I get home?
c) Money. Are the tickets more expensive now?

I've only been to Denver once before and didn't need public transport then, and I'm flying there this Saturday (two days from now) so am a bit worried! I've asked the people in our volunteer cast for ideas, but in the meantime, what else can I do?

Thank you!

posted by divabat to Travel & Transportation around Denver, CO (15 answers total)

Response by poster: Oh, a correction on the Host Fam -> Office -> Auraria thing. I can get to the office using one bus (122x) and get down at Civic Centre, then take a one-minute bus from a nearby station to Auraria later on. (15th & Cleaveland -> 15th & Tremont.)

Any help is appreciated, thanks!
posted by divabat at 5:06 AM on April 6, 2006

I imagine you could find a place to rent a bike. It's still cool enough that you won't be a sweaty mess when you get where you are going. It will, admitedly, be a pain in the ass, but a bike and some carpooling could solve your problems.
posted by jmgorman at 6:04 AM on April 6, 2006 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: jmgorman: I can't cycle. Also, it's too far to cycle, and I am not familiar with the route.

Carpooling I'll only know about when I get there, as I'm not sure where everyone else lives.
posted by divabat at 6:08 AM on April 6, 2006

Operational routes are running because non-union drivers are on the busses. There's no chance that they'll stop running.
posted by boo_radley at 6:09 AM on April 6, 2006

Response by poster: boo_radley: Well yeah, but according to reports, the buses are either full, or pass by at really odd times. And the traffic gets in the way, so what usually takes an hour takes 3 hours.

I can't really afford to be late, so I'll need to know how early I should leave without being a nuisance to my hosts. (I'd ask them, but they're elsewhere right now and I'll only get to hear from them tomorrow.
posted by divabat at 6:11 AM on April 6, 2006

You could also use taxis but you'll probably end up blowing your budget if you rely on them too much.
posted by JJ86 at 6:31 AM on April 6, 2006

I'd say you should leave about an hour earlier than planned and go with the bus plans you already have -- they will come less often and be crowded, but from what I am hearing from friends in Denver, the are showing up. If after the first day you find the bus was too crowded, look into getting dropped off at an earlier stop.

You can walk from 16th and Broadway to Auraria no problem. It's probably a little more than a mile and is a pretty straight shot down Colfax -- mapquest it or ask a colleague.

Getting home is more of a problem, because many of the routes aren't operation that late at night. I would see if you can get a work colleague to drop you off -- people in Denver are pretty nice and given the circumstance, one might be willing to go out of the way.

Bus tickets are not more expensive.

Good luck! Not to get your hopes up, but I'm betting the strike will be over by the first few days of your visit at the latest.
posted by purplevelvet at 7:13 AM on April 6, 2006

News reports this morning indicate a deal may be struck by Friday. Also, I didn't notice eariler, but Wagon Road P&R? That's right by my house. If worse comes to worse, I might be able to swing you a ride on a day or two.
posted by boo_radley at 8:25 AM on April 6, 2006

I assume you've seen this?

Also, some fashion of federal mediator was brought in, and a tentative agreement was being talked about on the news last night. I'd be surprised if they're driving again by Saturday, but maybe. Keep your fingers crossed.

I'm in Denver, so email if you need any help with something local.
posted by teece at 8:55 AM on April 6, 2006

Do we smell meetup yet?
posted by boo_radley at 11:36 AM on April 6, 2006

Who is coordinating the performances? Can you contact them and see if they can find you transport? Also, someone in the department of the universities that you are performing for may be willing to contact rides for you.
posted by BoscosMom at 1:00 PM on April 6, 2006

Response by poster: BoscosMom: The performance group isn't arranging transport (they're a non-profit and don't have that large a budget) but they have been fielding questions all day and are familiar with the situation.

I just got in touch with my host fam, and things seem to be looking OK. Let's just hope the strike ends soon enough!

Thanks for the offers of emails and rides - I'll let you know if i need any help.
posted by divabat at 6:36 PM on April 6, 2006

Tentative Deal in Denver Transit Strike. Enjoy your trip.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 10:26 AM on April 7, 2006

Sorry. Here's the link.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 10:27 AM on April 7, 2006

Response by poster: I'm in Denver now - sounds like the strike has resolved itself. Woohoo!
posted by divabat at 9:44 PM on April 8, 2006