RTD: Bus System in Denver

 

HOW TO MASTER THE BUS SYSTEM IN DENVER

 

STEP 1: Familiarize yourself with the website:  RTD
No computer? Call! 303.299.6000

STEP 2: Plan your trip using an RTD schedule    
Link to bus schedules: schedule
 
How to read schedule:

1. Open the schedule (or look online) and locate the direction of travel and day of the week.
2. Find the intersection closest to where you want to catch the bus. The bus usually makes stops between the major intersections listed on the schedule.
3. Look down the column under that intersection to find departure times from that stop.
4. Times are listed without using colons. So "426" means "4:26." Look for an "A" or a "P" to indicate AM or PM.
5. Find the intersection closest to your destination.
6. Read horizontally along the line that lists your departure time to determine when you will arrive at your destination. If no arrival time or (—) is shown, then that particular bus does not stop there. Look at the lines above and below for a bus that does make that stop.
7. To plan your return trip, look at the reverse direction of travel on the opposite side of the printed schedule and follow these same steps.

STEP 3: Find your bus stop.
All bus stop signs are red and white and list all routes that stop at that location. Bus stops are generally located every few blocks along Local bus routes. Express and Limited route stops are located farther apart.

Hint: On many routes, the stop for your return trip will be located across the street from the stop where you boarded the bus.

STEP 4: Verify your route and board the bus
When you see a bus approaching, look at the electronic destination sign above the front windshield to verify the route number. To let the bus driver know you want to board, please stand and wait near the curb at the designated bus stop.
 
STEP 5: Pay your fare
RTD offers a number of ways to pay your bus fare:
Cash
Exact change must be used when paying with cash. The driver will not make change.

• Have your money ready before you board.
• Insert your money in the fare box next to the driver as you board.
• During weekday afternoon rush hours between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., boarding times are extremely short at the Market Street, Civic Center and I-25 & Broadway stations. When riding Express and Regional routes leaving these stations, pay as you exit the bus.

STEP 6: Get off at your stop
Stay alert so you know when your stop is approaching. If you're not sure when to get off the bus, sit close to the front and ask the driver to call out your stop.
Signal the driver you want to get off the bus about one block before you reach your stop. Depending on the type of bus you're riding, you can signal the driver by one of the following methods:

• Pulling the cord that runs above the windows.
• Pressing the yellow strip to the side of the windows.
• Pushing the button on the ceiling of the bus above your seat

The "Stop Requested" sign at the front of the bus will light up when you have activated the signal. When the bus stops, exit through the rear door if the bus has two doors. Wait until the bus pulls away so you can see traffic clearly before crossing the street. Do not cross in front of the bus.