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Renovated Union Station Starts Bus Service

DENVER (CBS4) – Commuters experienced a bit of a different route on Sunday thanks to the new Union Station Transit Center.

The renovated Union Station started bus service Sunday morning with the very last bus out of Market Street Station at about 2:20 a.m.

Mike Walker was one of the first riders inside the new transit center.

union station bus concourse  1st day CBS pic
The bus concourse at Union Station on Monday morning (credit: Doug Hoffacker)

"This place is amazing," said Walker. "This is like quadruple the size of Market Street."

The mass transit user says it's something that's been a long time coming.

"Much needed I think. I mean Denver's growing and Market Street just wasn't flipping the bill," said Walker.

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Union Station (credit: CBS)

Other riders inside Union Station say the new building seems more like an airport than a bus station. That was something those getting off one of the first Denver International Airport buses agreed with.

"Phoenix doesn't have anything like this at all," said rider Kinzi Hotchkiss.

The center will serve as a transportation hub with all 16 routes previously at Market Street now serving riders at the new station.

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A skylight covered in snow at the new bus concourse in Union Station (credit: Doug Hoffacker)

"It's going to be kind of the centerpiece. It's really going to tie this city together," said Walker.

In addition, the new Free MetroRide serves as a complimentary service to the 16th Street Free Mall Ride taking people from Union Station Bus Concourse to Civic Center Station on Weekday mornings and evenings.

As the center enters its first work week, RTD and riders alike hope things go smoothly.

"Most people I think will give themselves an extra hour or so," said Walker.

Market Street station is now closed permanently.

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