RTD has more than 179 regular bus routes that serve the Denver metropolitan area. To catch The Ride, just follow these steps:

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STEP 1: Get Connected with RTD Information

On the Internet

• You can plan your own itinerary, as well as find bus and light rail schedule information, and general information about RTD products, programs and services on our web site at RTD-Denver.com.
• We are currently beta testing a new system that will offer users the choice of either point-and-click map-based itinerary planning, or text-based, origin-and-destination itinerary planning.

By Telephone

• Call the Telephone Information Center (TIC) for complete bus and light rail information. You can get general information from the automated phone system 24 hours a day or speak with an RTD customer service operator during TIC business hours for specific route and schedule information.
• Be ready to answer these questions when you call RTD:

1. Where are you starting your trip?
2. Where are you going?
3. Are you traveling on a weekday, weekend or holiday?
4. What time do you want to arrive at, and return from, your destination?

• TIC Hours:
  
  

  9 a.m. - 6 p.m.	Monday through Friday
  9 a.m. - 6 p.m.	Weekends and Holidays

  
  
• TIC Telephone Numbers:
  
  

  Denver/Boulder metro area	303.299.6000
  Outside (303) area code	800.366.7433
  TDD line for speech and hearing-impaired customers	303.299.6089

Hint: For the fastest service, call our TIC Monday through Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., or between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends.

Use speed dialing for faster service

Many services, such as RockiesRide and skyRide, have special "speed dial" extensions so you can connect directly to information on that service. Using touch-tone phone, just press the one-to four-digit speed dial extension when you're prompted by the automated voice, and zoom... you're there!

Speed Dial Extensions
(press 303.299.6000 first)

Senior Services

In Person

• Visit a transit station to pick up schedules, system maps, SuperSaver passes and discount ticket books, or talk to a customer service representative.
• Transit stations are located at 16th and Market streets and 16th Street and Broadway in Denver, at 14th and Walnut streets in Boulder, and at 815 South Main Street in Longmont. Schedules are also available at the RTD Administration Building at 1600 Blake Street, the RTD District Shops at 1900 31st Street, the RTD Sales Counter at DIA, and metro-area King Soopers, Safeway and Cub Food stores.
  

STEP 2: Plan Your Trip Using a Schedule

On the Outside

• Route number (such as 21)
• Route name (such as East Evans)
• List of major destinations (such as Aurora Mall, University of Denver, etc.)

On the Inside

• Route map with major streets and destinations
• Departure and arrival times for major stops along the route, based on direction of travel and day of the week.

Tips for Reading a Schedule

1. Open the schedule to the correct direction of travel and day of the week.
2. Find the intersection closest to where you want to catch the bus.
3. Look down the column under that intersection to find departure times from that stop.
4. Find the intersection closest to your destination.
5. Read horizontally along the line that lists your departure time to determine when you'll arrive at your destination.
6. To plan your return trip, look at the reverse direction of travel on the opposite side of the schedule and follow these same steps.

• All bus stops have a red and white sign that marks where you catch the bus. The sign lists each bus route that stops at that location, so make sure your route number is on the sign.
• Bus stops are generally located every few blocks along Local bus routes. On Express routes, they're located farther apart.

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

Why did they go by?

RTD occasionally gets calls from passengers who say that the bus they were waiting for passed them by without stopping. Once in a while, this happens because:

• The bus is completely full and has no room for more passengers.
• The bus is late and the next bus is close behind, so the first bus stops only for departing passengers, and the second bus will stop for you.
• The bus is currently not in service or is returning to the garage.

With RTD’s Automatic Vehicle Location system, our service schedulers and dispatchers are better able to modify schedules and add buses to meet passengers’ needs.

Snowstorm slowdowns

Although RTD buses have excellent on-time records, occasionally they may be late due to bad weather, construction delays or accidents. If buses are running late due to snow, most local TV and radio stations will periodically broadcast that information. For delay updates, you can call 303.299.6000.

What are X, Y and Z bus tops?

In Downtown Denver, Local and Limited buses stop only on every third block - signified by either X, Y or Z - on 15th and 17th streets. Your bus schedule will state whether your bus serves the X, Y or Z stop. If you're boarding Downtown, make sure your route is listed on the bus-stop sign where you are waiting.

• When you see a bus approaching your stop, look at the electronic destination sign above the front windshield to verify the route number, route name and destination.
• If you want to board the bus, stand up. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before boarding. If you're still unsure that you're boarding the correct bus, ask the driver if this bus serves your destination.

STEP 5: Pay Your Fare, Please

Cash

• You must have exact change if you are paying with cash! The bus driver does not carry any money.
• Have your money ready before you board. If you’re still gathering money when the bus arrives, please step aside so others can board first.
• Insert your money in the fare box next to the driver as you board the bus. The fare box has separate slots for bills and coins.
• During weekday afternoon peak hours (4 p.m. - 6. p.m.), boarding times are extremely limited at the Market Street, Civic Center and 1-25/Broadway stations. When riding Express and Regional routes leaving these stations, please pay as you exit the bus.
  

• Insert your tokens in the "coin" slot of the fare box next to the driver as you board the bus.
• You may also use RTD tokens as bus and light rail fare payment. Tokens may be purchased in denominations of 25¢ from all RTD sales outlets: King Soopers and Safeway grocery stores. (See RTD Transit Stations and Sales Outlets for other locations.)
  

• Tear out one ticket and insert it in the fare box as you board.

• Show your pass to the driver as you board.

STEP 6:Get off at your stop

• Stay alert during your ride so that you know when your bus stop is approaching. If you're not sure where to get off the bus, then sit close to the front and ask the driver to call out your stop.
• Let the driver know that 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 will signal the driver by one of the following methods:

1. Pulling the cord that runs from front to back above the windows.

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 from the curb so you can see traffic clearly before crossing the street. Do not cross in front of the bus.

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