RTD Service Changes
GDT > RTD Info > Service Changes
Traditionally, RTD implements service modifications to bus and rail schedules three times a year, usually in Winter, Spring and Fall. These changes are based on analysis of traffic patterns, ridership, economic factors, and community feedback.
The RTD Service Development Division is is responsible for service planning, scheduling, runcutting, service monitoring, service performance evaluation, and implementation coordination of all RTD services. The division accepts suggestions from the public all year around – there’s no need to wait for the next round of public meetings!
Our View…
– RTD frequently presents “minor service changes” during the public hearings but is unable to answer questions on exact schedule changes. This makes it difficult for the public to provide meaningful comment, particularly relating to transfers.
– Reason given for this is that the run-cutting process (where operators are assigned to runs) has to be completed before schedules can be released to the public.
– This is at odds with how other transportation providers (e.g. airlines) operate, where schedules are released to the public (and advance tickets sold), often months before operators are assigned.
– Public comments are summarized rather than provided in full by the Service Development Division to the RTD Board.
– Only sporadic evidence that Service Development Division acts on public comments.
– The RTD service change process needs to be completely overhauled.
January 2024 Service Changes
Status: Proposed
Public Meetings
Monday, Sep 25, noon (online)
Monday, Sep 25, 5:30pm (in person)
Tuesday, Sep 25, noon (online)
September 2023 Service Changes
Status: Implemented
Public Meetings
Monday, May 15, noon
Monday, May 15, 5:30pm
Tuesday, May 16, 5:30pm
May 2023 Service Changes
Status: Implemented
Public Meetings
Tuesday, Feb 21, noon
Tuesday, Feb 21, 5:30pm
Wednesday, Feb 22, noon
Our Proposed List of Service Changes
Below is a list of service improvements that Greater Denver Transit would currently like to see implemented. All changes are proposed in accordance with the System Optimization Plan. If you have a suggestion for a service change, please contact us.
Rail Service
N Line
To better serve Friday night visitors to Downtown Denver, add an 11:26pm Fridays only trip from Denver Union Station to Eastlake & 124th.
Status: Proposed
R Line
To better connect with A Line trains which arrive at :01, 16, 31 and :46 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Peoria station to :17 and :47 past the hour. Reschedule arrival times at Peoria station to :13 and :43 past the hour.
Status: Submitted to RTD
Update: May 2023
R Line departure times from Peoria station are now :23 and :53 past the hour
Bus Service
LD3 – Longmont / Denver
To better connect with Flatiron Flyer buses which arrive at :16, 31, 46 and :01 past the hour, reschedule departure times from US 36 & Broomfield station to :06 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the bus operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving buses from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
To better aid rider comfort at highway speeds, operate this route directly using over-the-road coach buses.
Status: Proposed
7 – North Washington
To better connect with eastbound A Line trains which arrive at :04, 19, 34 and :49 past the hour, reschedule departure times from 38th & Blake station to :07 and :37 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the bus operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
12 – South Downing
To better connect with eastbound A Line trains which arrive at :04, 19, 34 and :49 past the hour, reschedule departure times from 38th & Blake station to :07 and :37 past the hour. This will also improve connection to southbound L Line trains at 30th & Downing. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the bus operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
16 – West Colfax Avenue
To better connect with westbound W Line trains which arrive at :12, 27, 42 and :57 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Oak station to :00 and :30 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the bus operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
38 – 38th Avenue Crosstown
To better connect with other rail & bus services, GDT proposes an amendment to reroute buses on to Wewatta St between 15th St and Park Ave W to serve the ‘Union Station Overground’ stops at 17th / Wewatta St. This change is proposed in accordance with GDT’s Downtown Bus Plan.
Status: Proposed
44 – 44th Avenue
To better connect with A Line trains, reroute on to Blake St between Downing St and 40th St to serve 38th / Blake Station.
Status: Proposed
To better serve the pedestrianized Larimer St area in RiNo, reroute on to Walnut St between Broadway and Downing St.
Status: Proposed
120L – 120th Avenue Limited
To better inform riders of where this routes serves, rename it to ‘120th Avenue Limited / Brighton’.
Status: Proposed
To better connect with N Line trains which arrive at :25 and :55 past the hour, reschedule departure times from 124th / Eastlake station to :58 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the bus operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
120X – Wagon Road / Thornton Express
To better connect with E Line trains and inform riders of this route’s schedule, standardize departures from Union Station to :15 and :45 past the hour.
Status: Proposed
402L – Highlands Ranch Parkway
To better connect with D Line trains which arrive at :06, 21, 36 and :51 and inform riders of this route’s schedule, standardize evening departures from Littleton Mineral Station to :25 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the bus operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Downtown Denver.
Status: Proposed
520L – Brighton
To better connect with 120L buses which are proposed to arrive at approx. 48 past the hour, reschedule departure times from US 85 & Bridge St Park-n-Ride station to :51 past the hour. If bus is not interlining from route 120L, publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the bus operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving buses from 124th / Eastlake station.
Status: Proposed
FlexRide Service
Arapahoe FlexRide
To better connect with E Line trains which arrive at :06, 21, 36 and :51 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Arapahoe at Village Center station to :10 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Belleview FlexRide
To better connect with E Line trains which arrive at :01, 16, 31 and :46 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Bellview station to :05 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Broomfield FlexRide
To better connect with FF1 buses which arrive at :01, 16, 31 and :46 past the hour, reschedule departure times from US36 & Broomfield station to :05 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving buses from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Dry Creek FlexRide
Keep the current :00 past the hour departure time. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Golden FlexRide
To better connect with W Line trains which arrive at :28 and :58 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Jefferson County Government Center station on Saturdays to :00 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Green Mountain FlexRide
To better connect with W Line trains which arrive at :02, 17, 32 and :47 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Federal Center station to :05 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Interlocken / Westmoor FlexRide
To better connect with FF1 buses which arrive at :01, 16, 31 and :46 past the hour, reschedule departure times from US36 & Broomfield station to :05 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving buses from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Inverness North FlexRide
Keep the current :00 past the hour departure time. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Inverness South FlexRide
Keep the current :00 past the hour departure time. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Lone Tree FlexRide
To better connect with E Line trains which arrive at :14, 29, 44 and :59 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Lincoln station to :05 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Orchard FlexRide
To better connect with E Line trains which arrive at :03, 18, 33 and :48 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Orchard station to :10 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
South Jeffco FlexRide
To better connect with D Line trains which arrive at :06, 21, 36 and :51 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Littleton Mineral station to :10 past the hour and :40 past the hour on Saturdays. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving trains from Downtown Denver.
Status: Proposed
Thornton FlexRide
To better connect with 120X buses which arrive at :02 and :32 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Wagon Road Park-n-Ride to :05 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving buses from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Wagon Road FlexRide
To better connect with 120X buses which arrive at :02 and :32 past the hour, reschedule departure times from Wagon Road Park-n-Ride to :05, 25 and :45 past the hour. Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the FlexRide operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late arriving buses from Union Station.
Status: Proposed
Stations and Wayfinding
US 85 & Bridge St Park-n-Ride
To better inform riders of the area this facility serves, rename it to ‘Brighton Park-n-Ride’.
Status: Proposed
Connections
Train / Express Bus to Bus Transfers
To better assist riders transferring from trains / express buses to buses, anchor their schedules to stations and with departure times generally 3 minutes after arrival of said train / express bus. Longer connection times should be provided if riders have a longer walk to transfer; for example, crossing a highway via pedestrian bridge.
Status: Proposed
3 Minute Courtesy Wait Policy
Publicize a ‘courtesy wait’ policy where the local bus operator will wait up for to 3 minutes past the departure time for late running trains / express buses. This means that even if an arriving train / express bus is 5 mins late, there is still 1 minute time left to transfer, which should be sufficient as riders will no doubt be fully focused on making the connection. The bus should be able to run its entire route up to 3 minutes late, without impacting operate rest breaks or scheduled connections at its destination.
Status: Proposed