Service Changes
At RTD, we carefully analyze traffic patterns, assess ridership trends, examine operational resources (people power), and solicit community feedback to regularly implement changes to our bus and rail services. Service changes are proposed three times a year to increase reliability, improve on-time performance, and support scheduled maintenance projects.
Our commitment to enhancing service means we're constantly working to improve connections and on-time performance. Customer and community feedback is paramount in that process to improve our services.
Proposed September 2024 Service Changes
RTD is proposing a number of changes to its bus and rail services that will take effect on September 15, 2024. We invite all customers, stakeholders, and community members to review the proposed changes below and provide feedback.
Why does RTD make changes to its services?
RTD implements service changes three times a year, typically in the winter, spring, and fall, to increase reliability, enhance connections, improve on-time performance, account for seasonal changes to ridership, and support scheduled maintenance projects across the transit system.
LEARN MORE: Watch this two-minute video about service changes.
Service Change Categories
Each of RTD’s proposed service changes are organized into one of five categories. The categories provide customers, stakeholders, and community members with a quick and concise overview of each change.
- Seasonal Adjustment: Temporary modifications made to bus and rail services in response to seasonal variations in demand or operational conditions.
- Service Increase: Increases to the frequency, trips, span of service, or operating hours.
- Service Reduction: Reductions to the frequency, trips, span of service, or operating hours.
- Schedule Timing: Alterations to the running time of bus and rail services, typically to better align with customer demands and trip connections, and to improve on-time performance.
- Route Adjustment: Detours and changes to routes or stops to optimize efficiency, improve accessibility, respond to changing travel patterns, or facilitate planned maintenance projects. Some of these adjustments may also come from the implementation of RTD’s System Optimization Plan.
Route/Line | To/From | Category | Proposed Change | Reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
D Line | 18th•California to Littleton•Mineral | Route Adjustment | Discontinue detour to Denver Union Station | Completion of planned rail maintenance projects |
E Line | Denver Union Station to RidgeGate Parkway | Service Increase | Restore 15-minute frequency | Completion of planned rail maintenance projects |
H Line | 18th•California to Florida | Service Increase and Route Adjustment | Restore 15-minute frequency and discontinue detour to Denver Union Station | Completion of planned rail maintenance projects |
L Line | 30th•Downing to 16th•Stout | Service Increase | Reinstate service | Completion of planned rail maintenance projects |
R Line | Peoria to RidgeGate Parkway | Schedule Timing | Minor changes to schedule | Improve on-time performance |
W Line | Denver Union Station to JeffCo Gov’t Center•Golden | Service Increase | Restore 15-minute weekday frequency between Denver Union Station and JeffCo Gov’t Cntr•Golden Station | Support the System Optimization Plan |
Route 0 / 0B | Broadway / South Broadway | Schedule Timing and Route Adjustment | Divide Route 0 into two separate routes (Route 0: Broadway and Route 0B: South Broadway) | In support of the System Optimization Plan, separate Route 0 into two patterns: 0 and 0B |
Route 0L | South Broadway Limited | Service Reduction | Discontinue all-day service, restore peak-only service | Completion of planned rail maintenance projects |
Route 1 | 1st Avenue | Schedule Timing | Minor changes to schedule | Improve on-time performance |
Route 3 | East Alameda Avenue | Schedule Timing | Minor changes to schedule | Improve on-time performance |
Route 3L | East Alameda Avenue Limited | Schedule Timing | Minor changes to schedule | Improve on-time performance |
Route 6 | East 6th Avenue | Schedule Timing | Minor changes to schedule | Improve on-time performance |
Route 11 | Mississippi Avenue | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore school service | Align with ridership levels |
Route 19 | North Pecos | Schedule Timing | Minor changes to schedule | Improve on-time performance |
Route 20 | 20th Avenue | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore school service | Align with ridership levels |
Route 24 | University Boulevard | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore school service | Align with ridership levels |
Route 30 | South Federal Boulevard | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore school service | Align with ridership levels |
Route 38 | 38th Avenue | Schedule Timing | Minor changes to schedule | Improve on-time performance |
Route 40 | Colorado Boulevard | Service Increase | 15-minute weekday frequency during mornings through evenings | Support the System Optimization Plan |
Route 49 | Commerce City | Schedule Timing | Adjusted departure times to allow for better connectivity at Commerce City•72nd Station | Improve connectivity to the N Line |
Route 51 | Sheridan Boulevard | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore school service | Align with ridership levels |
Route 65 | Monaco Parkway | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore school service | Align with ridership levels |
Route 73 | Quebec Street | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore school service | Align with ridership levels |
Route 88 | Central Park•72nd Avenue | Schedule Timing | Adjusted departure times at Commerce City•72nd Station | Improve connectivity to the N Line |
Route 88L | Thornton / Commerce City / Central Park | Schedule Timing | Adjusted departure times at Commerce City•72nd Station | Improve connectivity to the N Line |
Route 93L | North Colorado Boulevard Limited | Schedule Timing | Adjusted trip arrival and departure times at Thornton Crossroads•104th Station | Improve connectivity to the N Line |
Route 120L | Thornton/Brighton Limited | Schedule Timing | Adjusted trip arrival times at Eastlake•124th Station | Improve connectivity to Route 120 |
Route 204 | Table Mesa / Moorhead / North 19th Street | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore weekday service frequency for fall/winter | Align with ridership levels |
Route 205 | 28th Street / Gunbarrel | Schedule Timing | Adjusted departure time from Downtown Boulder Station to 4:05 p.m. | Align with ridership levels |
Route 206 | Pear / Manhattan / Fairview High School | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore weekday service frequency for fall/winter | Align with ridership levels |
Route 225 | Boulder / Lafayette (via Baseline) | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore weekday service frequency for fall/winter | Align with ridership levels |
Route AB | Boulder / Denver Airport | Schedule Timing | Minor schedule adjustment | Improve on-time performance |
BOLT | Boulder / Longmont | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore weekday service frequency for fall/winter | Align with ridership levels |
BOUND | 30th Street | Schedule Timing | Minor schedule adjustment | Improve on-time performance |
DASH | Boulder / Lafayette (via Louisville) | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore weekday service frequency for fall/winter | Align with ridership levels |
Free MallRide | Downtown | Service Increase | Restore 5-minute frequency | Completion of planned rail maintenance projects |
Free MetroRide | Downtown | Service Reduction | Discontinue service with the return of 5-minute frequencies on Free MallRide | Completion of planned rail maintenance projects |
JUMP | Boulder / Lafayette (via Arapahoe) | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore weekday service frequency for fall/winter | Align with ridership levels |
NB | Boulder / Nederland / Eldora | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore seasonal service to Eldora | Align with ridership levels |
Route P | Parker / Denver | Schedule Timing | Minor schedule adjustment | Improve on-time performance |
SKIP | Broadway | Seasonal Adjustment | Restore weekday service frequency for fall/winter | Align with ridership levels |
Public Hearings and Feedback Meetings
RTD is hosting in-person and virtual public meetings to communicate the proposed changes, answer questions, and collect feedback from customers, stakeholders, and the community.
- Tuesday, June 18 at Noon
Virtual Meeting
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 223 758 414 776
Passcode: Pn7MaH
Dial in by phone +1 720-443-6193,,473332783#United States, Denver
Find a local number - Tuesday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m.
La Alma Recreation Center
1325 West 11th Avenue, Denver - Thursday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Blake Administration Building, Rooms T and D
1660 Blake Street, Denver - Saturday, June 22 at 1:00 p.m.
Carla Madison Recreation Center
2401 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver - Tuesday, June 25 at 5:30 p.m.
Englewood Public Library, Anderson Room
1000 Englewood Parkway
In addition to the public meetings above, RTD is also available to answer questions about the proposed service changes during its participation at community events. A full calendar of RTD’s community events is available online.
If you need an interpreter at an event that RTD is hosting, such as a board meeting, open house or other community engagement, please email RTD’s Transit Equity Specialist and Language Access Coordinator at [email protected] or call 303.299.2051. Include the name and date of the event as well as the language(s) needed. Please submit the request at least 5 business days prior to the event to ensure that we can secure an interpreter.
Provide Feedback
RTD is collecting customer, stakeholder, and community feedback about the September 2024 Service Changes until Friday, June 28, 2024. All feedback will be shared with RTD’s Board of Directors during the July meeting cycle.
There are five ways to provide feedback about the proposed service changes.
- Send an email
[email protected] - Call Customer Care
303.299.6000 - Provide comment at one of RTD's public meetings (see above), or a Board meeting
- Visit with RTD staff at a local community event
- Complete the online feedback survey
Choose a Line or Route from the survey list below. Need RTD materials translated into a specific language beyond Spanish? To the extent possible, RTD will provide the translation that you need! Click here.
Rail Lines:
Bus Routes:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Service Changes?
Service Changes are adjustments to bus and rail services and schedules.
Why does RTD make Service Changes?
RTD periodically adapts services to increase service reliability, enhance system connectivity, improve on-time performance, account for seasonal changes to ridership, and to support scheduled maintenance projects across the transit system.
When do Service Changes happen?
RTD implements service changes three times a year, generally in January, May, and either August or September.
What types of changes does RTD make during Service Changes?
Each of RTD’s Service Changes are organized into one of five categories. The categories provide customers, stakeholders, and community members with a quick and concise overview of each change.
- Service Increase: Increases to the frequency, trips, span of service, or operating hours.
- Service Reduction: Reductions to the frequency, trips, span of service, or operating hours.
- Schedule Timing: Alterations to the schedule of bus and rail services, typically to better align with customer demands and trip connections, and to improve on-time performance.
- Route Adjustment: Detours and changes to routes or stops to optimize efficiency, improve accessibility, respond to changing travel patterns, or facilitate planned maintenance projects. Some of these adjustments may also come from the implementation of RTD’s System Optimization Plan.
- Seasonal Adjustment: Temporary modifications made to bus and rail services in response to seasonal variations in demand or operational conditions.
What is the Service Change process?
The process for changing services at RTD is as follows:
- RTD announces Proposed Service Changes after reviewing ridership, traffic, resources, and feedback from the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001 (ATU 1001), customers, and stakeholders.
- Customers and community members submit feedback on the proposed changes during the public comment period.
- All feedback is shared with the Board of Directors before they make a decision.
- Once approved by the Board, Proposed Service Changes become Final Service Changes.
How do I know if my route(s) will be impacted?
RTD announces Proposed and Final Service Changes widely. Advertisements are placed on all buses and trains, and information is available on the RTD website and social media. RTD also uses public engagement and media relations to keep everyone informed. Customers can view the changes at alert.zizhanggui.com/service-alerts/service-changes.
How does RTD prevent service changes from negatively impacting customers, including marginalized customers?
RTD ensures that service changes do not affect marginalized populations 10% more than non-marginalized populations. If a proposed change causes a disparate impact or disproportionate burden, RTD will work to modify the proposal to avoid, minimize, or mitigate these issues. If there is a 25% addition or reduction in the service hours of any route that would remain in effect for 12 or more months, it is subject to an equity analysis that includes an analysis of adverse effects on customers.
How can I provide feedback on RTD services or Proposed Service Changes?
RTD provides customers several ways to provide their thoughts on all services, and Proposed Service Changes, including:
- Completing the online survey available at alert.zizhanggui.com/service-alerts/service-changes
- Sending an email to [email protected]
- Calling Customer Care at 303.299.6000
- Providing public comment at the Board of Directors’ meeting
- Attending RTD’s Proposed Service Changes public meetings (held online and in person)
- Visiting the RTD team at local community events
If you have a question about the proposed service changes, please send an email to [email protected]. Responses to questions will be provided to the sender and added to the webpage.
May 2024 Service Changes
RTD implemented Final May Service Changes on May 26, 2024 to increase reliability, improve on-time performance, address seasonal school adjustments, and accommodate the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project.
More Information
As traffic continues to worsen across the Denver metro area, RTD makes changes to our bus and rail system that are necessary in order to provide the most productive and efficient transit system for our passengers and the communities we serve.
Bus Stop Consolidation
As traffic continues to worsen across the Denver metro area, RTD makes changes to our bus and rail system that are necessary in order to provide the most productive and efficient transit system for our passengers and the communities we serve.
Learn more about consolidationService Development Division
This division is responsible for service planning, scheduling, runcutting, service monitoring, service performance evaluation, and implementation coordination of all RTD services.
Learn more about RTD's Service Development Division