Passes & Ticket Books
How to Ride the W line
It's easy to saddle up and ride West.
See the W schedule »
See the W/C/E schedule »It's easy to get going on the W line
Step on board the W line! Riding RTD may be new to you, but don't worry, it's never been easier to ride west. The W line has 11 new stations for easy access to downtown, Lakewood, Golden and everywhere in-between. Take a look at the new W line light rail stations, or check out our interactive W line system map to find your most convenient light rail station.
-
Before you go
-
Find your most convenient station
Drive, walk, bike or take the bus to the light rail station. The W line serves 11 new light rail stations in Golden, Lakewood, and Denver, each offering different connecting bus routes, Call-n-Ride service, parking options, and bike access.
-
Use the Trip Planner
The Trip Planner is especially helpful if you need a little more assistance in planning your trip. This tool will help plan trips with specific arrival or departure times spanning multiple bus routes and light rail lines to get to your final destination.
-
Look up the schedule for the W line
If you know where you want to go, and what route or light rail line you want to use, our schedules are very helpful. The W line schedule will show a complete timetable for the line, detailing what time a train will arrive at every stop on the W line, for the entire day. Our online schedules can even be customized to display the departure times, arrival times, and stops that you need. Riders who are planning to transfer from the W line to the C or E line will find our merged W/C/E schedule to be helpful.
-
-
At the station
-
Parking
Six of the eleven new light rail stations along the W line are Park-n-Rides. Parking at all 6 Park-n-Rides along the W line are free for the first 90 days of operation.
Station Parking Spaces Decatur•Federal 1,900 Sheridan 800 Lakewood•Wadsworth 1,000 Oak 200 Federal Center 1,000 JeffCo•Golden 705 Wondering which W line Park-n-Ride is most convenient for you?
Check out our interactive W line Park-n-Ride map » -
Storing bicycles
Most stations along the W line offer bike storage solutions such as bike racks, bike trees, and secure bike lockers. Racks and trees are available free of charge, though riders must provide their own bike lock. Bike lockers are available for a rental fee and are rented out on a six-month lease term.
-
Locate the correct platform
Overhead signs next to the light rail tracks indicate which direction the train is going: Eastbound or Westbound. Signs on each train indicate the final destination for that train.
Each platform features an electronic sign displaying the arrival times and destination for the next few trains scheduled to stop at the platform.
-
Boarding the train
Stand behind the yellow strips
The yellow strips on the ground next to the tracks indicate the safe waiting distance from the trains. Stay behind the strip until the train comes to a complete stop.The train doors open automatically
Once the train has stopped the train doors should open automatically. You may find that train doors will not open automatically if there is bad weather. If doors do not open automatically you can open the door by pushing one of the lighted green buttons on the door.Let passengers exit before boarding
It is easier and faster for everyone if you allow other passengers to get off the train before you board. Thanks for being patient!
-
-
Pay your fare
-
Fares
- local
- $2.25
- 1-2 fare zones
- express
- $4.00
- 3 fare zones
- regional
- $5.00
- all fare zones
-
Fare zones
Light rail fares are based on how many fare zones you travel in.
Local fare is required for travel in 1-2 fare zones.
ex. Lakewood•Wadsworth (zone B) to Union Station (zone A)Express fare is required for travel in 3 fare zones.
ex. JeffCo•Golden (zone C) to Union Station (zone A)Regional fare is required for travel 4 fares zones.
ex. JeffCo•Golden (zone C) to Lincoln Station (zone D) via Union Station (zone A)The W line runs through fare zones A, B, and C, so most W line riders will either pay a local or express fare.
-
Fare payment options
Fare payment options on light rail include monthly passes, fare zone pass, Smart Card, free ride coupon, ticket book tickets, or you can purchase a ticket right at the station.
Purchasing tickets at the station is easy with the ticket vending machines located at the station. Cash, coins and cards are accepted at all W line stations.
Paper tickets must be validated to ride light rail. If you use a ticket from a 10-Ride Ticketbook or free ride coupon, validate your ticket at the ticket validator at the light rail station.
Smart Card users must validate their fare by tapping their card on a Smart Card reader before boarding the train. Remember to select the correct fare level before you tap. Light rail Smart Card readers are located on or near each platform, usually near the ticket vending machines.
Monthly pass holders do not need to validate their fare, however pass holders should keep their pass readily available to show a fare inspector upon request.
-
-
On the train
-
Be ready for fare inspection
Fare inspectors circulate through light rail cars to check for valid fare. When asked, show your validated ticket, pass, upgrade, zone receipt, Smart Card or transfer. You may also be asked to show your ticket, pass or transfer at light rail stations in areas identified by "Fare Paid Zone" signs.
-
Exit at your stop
Your train will stop at every station along the route, so there is no need to request a stop. The doors should open automatically at each stop, but if they don't just push the "Open Door" button located near the stairwell at each door and you'll be on your way.
If you need light rail line or station information, maps and schedule timetables are available on each light rail car toward the center of the car.
-
Boarding with a bike
We welcome bikes on all of our light rail trains. Just wait by one of the bike loading symbols on the platform, and load your bike at any front or rear train car entrance (except behind the operator). When the train arrives, allow other passengers to exit or board before loading your bike, and please remember there is a two bike maximum at each bike entrance. Once you board with your bike, stand against the wall and hold on to your bike during the ride.
-
Wheelchair accessibility
All light rail vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Ramps are located at each station. Wait at the top of the ramp for the train to stop and the operators are available to help you board and exit the train.
-
-
Transferring
-
Connecting to another train
Light rail riders can make convenient transfers between the W line and southbound C and E lines at Auraria West Campus Station. Further transfers can be made from the C and E line to the D, F, and H lines at 10th & Osage Station, or take the FREE MallRide Shuttle from Union Station to 16th Street stations to transfer to the D, F, or H lines.
-
Connecting to a bus or Call-n-Ride
Most stations along the W line offer convenient connections with bus routes and Call-n-Ride service. The FREE MallRide shuttle at Union Station provides easy access to additional service at Market Street Station and Civic Center Station.
Station Bus Connections Stations with no bus transfers are not listed * AF available on limited late night trips when trains are not running Union Station 6, 55X, 72X, 120X, AF, BV,L, S, MallRide Decatur•Federal 16, 30, 30L, 31, 36L Knox 1 Sheridan 50, 51 Lamar 9 Lakewood•Wadsworth 9, 26, 28, 76 Garrison Belmar CnR Oak 16, 100 Federal Center 3, 17, 21, 100, 100L, 116L, CS, ES, GS, KC, AF*, Green Mountain CnR Red Rocks College 17 JeffCo•Golden AF*, Golden CnR -
Light rail to bus transfer validation
Your validated light rail ticket serves as a bus transfer if you need to complete your trip on a bus. Just show your bus driver the validated light rail ticket as you board. Transfers are valid for 3 hours from the start of the first leg of your trip.
If you need to transfer to a bus of a higher service level than your light rail ride, be sure to either purchase the higher fare when you buy your light rail ticket, or be prepared to pay an additional cash fare when boarding the bus.
-
Bus to light rail transfer validation
If you are starting out on a bus and then transfer to light rail, be sure to ask the bus driver for a transfer when you board the bus and keep it with you in case a light rail fare inspector asks for proof of payment. Let the bus operator know your destination so the transfer can be issued correctly.
You may be required to purchase a fare upgrade at a light rail ticket vending machine if your bus ride was a lower level of service than your light rail trip.
-
Transfer with a pass
The easiest way to transfer is with a pass or smart card. All passes are valid on light rail. Depending on how many light rail fare zones you travel through, you may need to purchase a fare upgrade at a light rail ticket vending machine. Transfers for Smart Card users are calculated automatically by the Smart Card system, just tap your card on a Smart Card reader to transfer.
-
Trip Planner
