RTD makes the holidays merrier with special holiday service into downtown

DENVER (Dec. 18, 2025) –– All aboard for holiday cheer! The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is operating special light rail service in Denver’s Downtown Loop for the holidays, following successful, on-time completion of an 86-day project to fully reconstruct the light rail crossing near the intersection of Kalamath Street and Colfax Avenue.

Daily light rail service on the S Line is operating every 15 minutes, 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. between I-25•Broadway and 30th•Downing stations. The special holiday service will be available to customers through Saturday, Jan. 3, ahead of RTD’s proposed January Service Changes.

Looking for last-minute gifts for friends and family? Take a Trip to the Christkindlmarket at its new location on the Auraria Campus. Bus and RTD’s special holiday light rail service make it simple to enjoy the market’s 25th anniversary celebration. The special holiday train is a festive way to connect to numerous downtown holiday happenings, including ice skating at Skyline Park or the impressive light displays at Denver’s City & County Building.

How to purchase fare

RTD offers several ways to buy fare, including Tap-n-Ride, a new fare payment option that provides a quick, secure, and convenient way for customers to pay their fare at any validator. Customers can also purchase a 3-Hour Pass for $2.75 or a Day Pass for $5.75, with discounts available for seniors 65+, individuals with disabilities, Medicare recipients, and customers enrolled in LiVE. Youth ages 19 and younger can ride at no-cost as part of the Zero Fare for Youth initiative, as well as active-duty military members with proof of eligibility. Customers can purchase passes conveniently through the MyRide mobile app, RTD sales outlets, more than 150 participating King Soopers or Safeway stores, or through the RTD online store. Click here to learn more about fare benefits.

All currently adjusted light rail lines and their destinations, including H Line service terminating at Southmoor Station and the D Line rerouting into Denver Union Station, will remain in place until RTD’s January service changes take effect on Sunday, Jan. 4. At that time, RTD will resume its regular light rail service on the D, H, and L lines.

Continued Connections and Alternative Service

Ahead of a full return of regular service across on Jan. 4, the following options are available to support customers:

• D Line trains are temporarily serving Denver Union Station through Jan. 3, and customers can easily connect to the Downtown Loop using the 16th Street FreeRide or Free MetroRide. D Line trains will maintain their current, 15-minute frequencies between Littleton•Mineral Station and Denver Union Station.
• Due to a non-RTD accident that occurred near Yale Station, E Line service is operating every 30 minutes between Union Station and Southmoor Station, and every 15 minutes between Southmoor and RidgeGate Parkway stations. Customers will need to transfer to a different E Line train at Southmoor Station to continue travel beyond Southmoor on the E Line.
• The H Line will continue operating between Florida and Southmoor stations, and customers traveling downtown will need to transfer to a different E Line train.
• The L Line is temporarily suspended, but the temporary Holiday Train directly mirrors its route. Additionally, Route 43 is available to support customers with continued connections along the downtown corridor.
• Bus Route 16 and Route ART also provide alternate service to the Colfax at Auraria Station.

Customers are encouraged to sign up for RTD’s Service Alerts, use the agency’s NextRide app, or contact customer support. RTD’s Customer Care agents are available 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays by calling 303.299.6000.

Stay safe with Transit Watch

RTD encourages customers to stay alert and report safety concerns through Transit Watch. The Transit Watch app lets customers quickly and anonymously contact Transit Police about suspicious activity 24/7. Customers can also call 303.299.2911 or text 303.434.9100 to contact Transit Watch anytime, and emergency phones are available at rail stations. The app is also offered in Spanish.