Reports and Policies

Reports

Best Practices

With the impending retirement of the baby boom generation, the transit industry must find pathways for critical practitioners to pass their knowledge, experience and strategies to the next generation of transit professionals. Peer transit agencies across the nation and world have expressed a great deal of interest in RTD’s successes and lessons in project delivery, finance, security, workforce development and operations. RTD has developed this compilation of best practices to share with our peers as well as internally so our experience can inform not only our agency’s next generation, but also the next generation of transportation professionals across the industry.

Read the Best Practices Report (pdf)

Colorado Cross Disability Coalition Securement Area Issues Analysis

RTD and the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition (CCDC) entered into a joint Settlement Agreement in an effort to resolve issues related to availability of the securement area on board RTD buses for passengers who use mobility aids. Below is information on the Securement Area Issues Report and the memorandum to the RTD Board of Directors:

Securement Area Issues Report (January - December 2015) (pdf)
Memorandum to RTD Board of Directors (pdf)

Customer Satisfaction Surveys

Every few years, RTD conducts onboard Customer Satisfaction Surveys with bus, rail, SkyRide, and FlexRide (formerly known as Call-n-Ride) passengers to help us learn more about our riders’ satisfaction with these services. The studies also provide us with helpful information on our riders' trip characteristics and demographic profiles.

If you are interested in receiving a copy of the results from these surveys, please email [email protected].

2019 Customer Satisfaction Survey Report
2017 Customer Satisfaction Survey Report

Facts and Figures

Facts and figures are published each year to provide information on the District, rail service, bus fleet, ridership, brief financial information, staff numbers, and much more.

Get the Latest 2021 Facts & Figures

Financial Documents

View on our Financials Page

Ridership Numbers

Ridership information can be found in the monthly financial status reports on the Financials Page.

Fiscal Sustainability Task Force Report to the RTD Board

The purpose of the Task Force was to develop a formal written report, which was submitted to the RTD Board in June 2011, detailing opportunities for operating efficiencies and revenue enhancements to ensure RTD fiscal sustainability in the long term.

Read the Fiscal Sustainability Task Force Report
Fiscal Sustainability Update – October 2019

Quality of Life Study

The Quality of Life Study is RTD's data-driven evaluation of progress toward meeting the FasTracks Program goals. The Study focuses on the “quality of life” in the context of those areas most affected by transit improvements and those specifically addressed in the FasTracks Plan: mobility, environment, economic activity, development, and land use.

Learn more about the Quality of Life Study

Report to the Region 2016 - 2017

This information piece provides an up-to-date snapshot of the many activities and projects RTD is undertaking. RTD elected to provide this report only in an electronic format to eliminate printing expenses, which has also allowed us to produce this entire report using existing resources, with no additional costs. 

Read the Report to the Region 2016 - 2017 (pdf)

State of the District - 2017

General Manager Dave Genova presents the 2017 annual State of the District report to the RTD Board of Directors, stakeholders, employees and public attendees.

Read the State of the District 2017 report (pdf)
View the video - State of the District 2017

Ridership Statistics and Service Performance

RTD's Service Development Division maintains reports on ridership statistics and service performance by route and other special services.

North Metro Proposed Bus Operations Plan
Key Performance Indicators – 3rd Quarter 2019
Visit Service Development to learn more

Strategic Plan 2021-2026

The 2021-2026 Strategic Plan details RTD’s aspirations and the steps for attaining goals; it articulates the organization’s vision for establishing a valuable partnership with the surrounding community, pursuing customer excellence, becoming a regional employer of choice, and achieving financial success.

Learn more about the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan

Sustainability

RTD's Sustainability policies are rooted in the belief that human environmental impacts create long-term, economic, social, and ecological costs.

Read about RTD's sustainability initiatives, practices, and goals

Transit Oriented Development Status Report to the RTD Board

This report provides an annual status update of transit oriented development (TOD) projects in close proximity to RTD's existing transit system as well as future FasTracks stations. The report covers urban planning and real estate development activity, and also provides perspectives on real estate trends based on collected and observed information from a variety of sources.

Read the TOD Status Report (pdf)

Union Station Master Plan

Denver is a city on the move. It is growing and changing every day. So it is critical to our future success that Union Station change with the times too. Developing the master plan for Union Station is the first step of that process.

Get Union Station Facts and Figures
Learn more about Union Station

Policies

Advertising on RTD Vehicle Policy

RTD offers the opportunity to use space on its buses and rail vehicles for commercial advertising, RTD advertising, Corporate Partnership Program and public service messages.

Read the Commercial Advertising Policy
View the Government Advertiser Disclaimer Specifications

Annexation into the District

Annexation (or inclusion) into the Regional Transportation District (RTD) can occur in a number of different ways. While the original District boundaries were established by the State Legislature when the District was created in 1969, the boundaries have since expanded to include new areas previously at the periphery of the District.

Learn how to annex into the Regional Transportation District

Building and Grounds Access Policy

An RTD Building and Grounds Access Permit is required prior to any non-RTD party commencing modifications to any RTD property, buildings or grounds to assure that proper safety training is completed, that necessary coordination has been arranged, that potential environmental, safety, utility or building system impacts have been identified, and that authorized work is fully coordinated with the Safety, Security and Facilities Department.

Download the RTD Buildings and Grounds Access Permit application

Rider Code of Conduct

For the safety, convenience, and comfort of everyone, RTD has established a Code of Conduct which addresses certain conduct that is prohibited on all RTD vehicles, facilities, and property.

Read the Code of Conduct

Service Suspension Policy

In the interest of public safety as well as compliance with federal law, state law and/or the RTD Passenger Code of Conduct Policy, a person may not engage in prohibited conduct on any RTD vehicles, operational and maintenance facilities, and property, including but not limited to bus shelters, bus stops, rail platforms, administrative, and/or RTD equipment.

Read the Service Suspension Policy

DBE Program Policy Statement

The Regional Transportation District has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Read the DBE Program Policy Statement

Read RTD's 2020-2022 DBE Goal Notice

In accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, as amended, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado, hereby notifies the public that it is recommending the following Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal which represents the percentage of work to be accomplished by DBE prime contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors and material suppliers for professional services, construction and procurement contracts on federal-aid transit projects and grants during the Federal Fiscal Years of 2020-2022, beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2022. The overall proposed DBE goal for FFY 2020-2022 is 20.3%. The DBE Goal Methodology and all information pertaining to this goal and a description of how it was selected is available for inspection from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Regional Transportation District Executive Offices located at 1660 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 for 30 calendar days following the publication of this notice. Written comments of this goal will be accepted for 45 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice. The comments are for informational purposes only and may be sent to the RTD Civil Rights Division, same address, AND to the Regional Civil Rights Officer, Federal Transit Administration, Regions VII and VIII, Byron Rogers Federal Building – 1961 Stout Street, Suite 13-301, Denver, Colorado 80202.

Denver Union Station Bus Facility – Revenue Service Access Policy

The proper notification of work to be performed in the Denver Union Station (DUS) Bus Facility is essential for safety and security during bus revenue operations. A DUS Bus Facility Revenue Service request/permit form must be submitted for the following:

  • Work performed by any non-RTD contractors, including construction and maintenance, in the DUS Bus Facility.
  • A non-RTD vehicle or non-RTD employee who needs access to the DUS Bus Facility.

In order to receive an access permit to perform work in the DUS Bus Facility, a completed electronic access permit must be emailed to DUSAccess@rtd‑denver.com no later than close of business (5:00pm) on the Thursday prior to the week the work will begin. RTD management will approve the dates and times of access and issue a permit number. When approved, the signed access permit will be returned to the requester. The requester must check-in with the RTD Security Office prior to beginning work in the bus facility and check-out with the RTD Security Office when leaving the job site. All personnel must wear a reflective safety vest. The RTD Security Office in the bus facility is located in the center of the facility near ticketing and information.

EEO Policy

RTD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, or protective hairstyles), color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, age, genetic information, disability, service in the military, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

For a full statement of RTD's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy, or for information on filing an EEO complaint, please select the applicable link below:

View the full RTD EEO Statement
Register a formal EEO complaint

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

At RTD, we are committed to protecting the privacy of our customers and visitors to our website.

Read our Privacy Policy
Read our Terms of Use
Read our Mobile Ticket Privacy Policy

Right-of-way Access Policy

The proper notification of work to be performed in the right-of-way (ROW) is essential for safe and efficient operation. ROW is defined as the track way area located in between the restricted fenced area or within 10 feet of any outside rail of any track where no defined restricted area is present. This includes work to be performed above or below any track as well.

A right-of-way access request/permit form must be submitted anytime:

  • Work is to be performed by contractors in the ROW.
  • Work being performed by maintenance/engineering that may affect train movements or personnel working the ROW.
  • Track is made impassable for any reason, other than emergencies.

In order to receive an access permit to be in or work on the RTD alignment, a completed electronic access permit must be emailed to [email protected] no later than noon on the Wednesday prior to the week the work will begin. When you submit a request, attendance is also required at the weekly Access Allocation meeting which will be held every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the RTD Maintenance of Way Facility at 1350 Rio Court, Denver, CO 80204. If no representative attends the meeting, the request will not be approved.

Download the right-of-way access request/permit form

Performance of approved work
After receiving all necessary approvals, the work may be completed in accordance with the cautions and conditions indicated on the form. Work can begin when all personnel that will be in the ROW have completed the RTD on-track safety training certification and the certification is not expired. Please remember that the completed form must be in the possession of the work party at the work site.

Please note: The times indicated on the form for track access are estimates. Actual starting and ending times may vary depending on the work progress and the requirements for safe train operation. The controller is authorized to make revisions as necessary, provided there is mutual agreement by the permit holder and the controller and that the revision is documented by the controller. No other information on the form can be changed without approval of the Manager of Light Rail Transportation and the Manager of Maintenance of Way or their designees.

Service Animals and Pets

RTD welcomes service animals aboard our transport vehicles. Service animals are not required to be identified by any special badging, leash and/or collar, or animal apparel.

RTD requires current rabies vaccinations along with a requirement for dogs to wear rabies tags proving the rabies vaccinations. All dogs on RTD properties and vehicles, including service dogs and dogs accompanying visitors, are required to have rabies vaccinations and tags. RTD also requires rabies vaccinations/tags for any other animals subject to such laws.

Pursuant to Colorado law (§ 18-13-107.3), intentional misrepresentation of entitlement to a service animal is illegal.

  1. A person commits intentional misrepresentation of entitlement to an assistance animal if:
    1. The person intentionally misrepresents entitlement to an animal in his or her possession as an assistance animal for the purpose of obtaining any of the rights or privileges set forth in state or federal law for an individual with a disability as a reasonable accommodation in housing;
    2. The person was previously given a written or verbal warning regarding the fact that it is illegal to intentionally misrepresent entitlement to an assistance animal;
    3. The person knows that:
      1. The animal is not an assistance animal with regard to that person; or
      2. The person does not have a disability.

RTD welcomes pets aboard our transport vehicles. Pets must be contained in locked, standard commercial containers. Pets in carriers may be transported on RTD vehicles so long as they are carried on the customer’s lap or on the floor, not blocking the aisle. Pets in carriers may also be carried in the under floor luggage bays of regional coaches.

Social Media Comment Policy

We encourage you to join RTD on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, but reserve the right to remove inappropriate material.

Read our social media comment policy

Title VI Policy

Every department, division, and employee of RTD is responsible for carrying out RTD’s commitment to non-discrimination, including the requirements of Title VI.

View RTD’s Title VI policy statement and compliant procedure

Use of RTD Facilities Policy

RTD owns property all across the metro area so it's no wonder that people, organizations and businesses approach RTD on a daily basis to use our facilities for promotions, new business ventures, advertising, news rack placement, etc. Our Use of RTD Facilities Policy lists the activities that RTD permits or prohibits at our facilities and includes instructions for acquiring a use permit, vendor license, or lease.

View the Use of RTD Facilities Policy

Bus Stop Request/Modification

If you are requesting information about installing or modifying an RTD bus stop, please consult the RTD Bus Stop Request/Modification Form for more information. This form is for internal use only but it provides the many parameters RTD considers within Bus Stop build requests and modifications.

Utility Construction Requests

RTD has a specific multi-step process for applying to do utility construction work in the RTD District. Any proposed work on, across, above, below, or adjacent to any RTD Facility must follow these steps. This information is provided to assist developers, designers, engineers, contractors, and other agencies in understanding each required step and to provide links to each required form. Please review each required step and contact the Utility Construction Phone Line if you have any questions after you have read thru the complete process.

View Utility Construction in the District

IT Construction Standards

RTD has set requirements for construction and rehabilitation work that architects and contractors must adhere to during the design and development phases.

View the IT construction specification document

Wheelchair Securement Area and Priority Seating Policy

At RTD, we understand the importance of providing fully accessible bus and rail services for all members of our community. We're committed to providing the best possible customer service and will treat all passengers with or without disabilities with the highest degree of respect and concern for safety. With this policy effective March 24, 2014, individuals who use mobility aids, including wheelchairs, will have equal access to buses and to the securement areas.

Read the Wheelchair Securement Area and Priority Seating Policy