The Regional Transportation District makes lives better through connections, whether that is connecting a customer with their final destination or the connections that happen with others on the system. To support all types of connections, RTD asks its customers to follow a set of behavioral guidelines called Respect the Ride.
Respect the Ride focuses on providing a safe, convenient, and enjoyable experience for all customers, while also discouraging disruptive or antisocial behaviors.
Respect the Ride supports RTD’s mission to make lives better through connections. In short, all that RTD asks is that customers respect others and be considerate of its employees.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Respect the Ride survey. We are currently analyzing public feedback. Please stay tuned for more information.
Overview of Standards
- Basic civility and respect are expected. Spitting, littering, indecent exposure, stealing, damaging RTD property, and other disorderly conduct are not allowed.
- Individuals are prohibited from impeding the safe boarding or exiting of other customers.
- It is illegal to avoid paying a fare, whether by skipping payment portals or using counterfeit fare.
- The use of illegal drugs and consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Smoking tobacco, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is not allowed on buses and trains or in RTD facilities.
- Selling goods or services is not allowed. This includes distributing handbills and flyers to customers.
- Other than service animals, animals and pets are prohibited on vehicles or in facilities. However, small pets in carriers are permitted.
- It is illegal to bring explosives, firearms, or other potentially dangerous objects on RTD’s vehicles or in facilities unless you have proper documentation.
- Playing music is permitted only if you use earbuds or headphones that prevent your music from bothering other customers.
- Food and drinks need to be stored in resealable containers.
- You must exit buses or trains once they have completed their routes.
Being respectful of other customers and considerate to RTD’s employees does not take more than common courtesy.
Proposed Amendments
In 2016, RTD’s Board of Directors approved the agency’s first-ever comprehensive list of rules and prohibited conduct on the transit system. In 2020, amendments to the Code of Conduct were drafted and approved for implementation.
Following an internal staff review that began in 2022, additional changes to the existing Customer Code of Conduct were identified and are now being proposed to the community for consideration. The latest round of revisions simplifies the existing guidelines and emphasizes respect for other customers, RTD’s vehicles, its facilities, and its employees. Read More.
ADA and Reasonable Accommodations
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), transportation entities, including RTD, are required to make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination and to ensure that all programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Read More.
In accordance with this law, RTD will make every effort, to the maximum extent feasible, to ensure that a person with a disability has access to, and benefits from, its transit services. RTD will make reasonable modifications to its policies, programs, and procedures applicable to its transportation services when necessary to avoid discrimination and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.
There may be certain situations when RTD’s policies and procedures do not achieve ADA objectives or accessibility. A modification to these policies and procedures may be needed to ensure that a customer with a disability has access to services.
Examples of reasonable modifications can be found on RTD’s Accessibility website. When making a reasonable modification for an individual with a disability, the modification is not intended to:
- cause a direct threat to the health and safety of others;
- create undue financial and administrative burdens;
- constitute a fundamental alteration to a service;
- be more than necessary to provide equal access to an RTD service.
Additional questions or concerns should be directed to RTD’s Division of Civil Rights, ADA Manager’s Office by emailing [email protected] or calling 303-299-2250 to submit a request for reasonable modifications.
A Welcoming Transit Environment
Respect the Ride
Respect the Ride is a tool and strategy to support RTD’s efforts to maintain a safe, convenient, and enjoyable experience for all customers. The overarching goal is to discourage disruptive or antisocial behaviors.
Education is the First Step
Prior to enforcing prohibited behaviors outlined in Respect the Ride, RTD will make every attempt to first educate and inform the individual about rules and the expectation of common courtesy. Oftentimes, individuals may be unaware of RTD’s guidelines or need a gentle reminder. Educating the individual about Respect the Ride will always be the first step taken when interacting with a customer or other individual.
Connecting Individuals to Resources
RTD deploys a team of mental health clinicians and a full-time outreach coordinator for the unhoused to support individuals who may need assistance or information about available resources. In the spirit of compassion, RTD connects individuals to community services, resources, information, and other support not offered by a public transit system. Providing access to much-needed resources and deploying problem-solving strategies better assist members of the community who are unhoused, experiencing mental health issues, or dealing with substance abuse challenges. Additionally, RTD is increasing the number of qualified personnel who are able to connect members of the community with support resources. This effort is only possible through continued partnerships with dozens of state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.
Enforcement and Suspensions
If a situation warrants a response beyond education or community resources, enforcement steps may be necessary. Any individual who continues to engage in prohibited behavior or activities may be subject to enforcement ranging from a verbal or written warning, immediate suspension from a vehicle or facility, or a criminal citation.
Enforcement of Respect the Ride will always be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Read More.
A person who continues to engage in prohibited conduct, after being expressly warned, maywill be asked to exit the RTD vehicle, facility, or property by a law enforcement officer or other authorized RTD personnel. Only an RTD police officer, peace officer, transit security officer, or bus, light rail, or commuter rail supervisor hasve the ability to issue a written expulsion order to any individual who refuses to adhere to Respect the Ride.
Committing a violation of federal law, state law, and/or prohibited conduct outlined in Respect the Ride may be cause for a time-certain suspension of a person’s privileges to enter RTD’s facilities or vehicles. After the suspension expires,In short, it is a time out for bad behavior, and then the individual will be welcomed back to fully use RTD’s services, with the expectation that they agree to follow Respect the Ride. The length of time for suspension depends on the nature and severitys varies and is based ofn the violation. Typically, RTD issues a written one-day suspension for minor non-violent first-time offenses.
A written Notice of Suspension informs the individual suspended of the cause, the period of the suspension, and appeal procedures. Additionally, it outlines that failure to comply may be grounds for further criminal prosecution. Situations where a person refuses to leave an RTD vehicle, facility, or property, after being ordered to do so, may be considered trespassing and referred to law enforcement personnel. A person who continuously engages in prohibited conduct or is a danger to others may also be issued a suspension by RTD. The suspension applies to all RTD vehicles, properties, and services for a determined amount of time pursuant to RTD’s Service Suspension policy and procedures.
The Service Suspension Policy addresses the suspension of a person’s privileges to enter RTD property or use the system when they fail to Respect the Ride and violate the Customer Code of Conduct or the law. The proposed amendments to the Policy provide additional clarity by detailing potential suspension periods in the following three areas.
- Code of Conduct Violations. Inclusion of potential suspension periods for Code of Conduct violations ranging from a warning for a first offense up to a year for four or more offenses (where no criminal act is committed).
- Crimes of Violence. Inclusion of a distinction between criminal offenses that involve crimes of violence and other less serious offenses, with corresponding potential suspension periods that take into account the nature and severity of the offense.
- Crimes against an RTD Employee. Inclusion of potential suspension periods for crimes committed against an RTD employee (e.g., assault, theft, robbery, menacing, or sexual offenses), with suspension periods taking into account the nature and severity of the offense.
There are no proposed changes to the due process provided in the suspension appeal hearing. The proposed amendments designate the Commander, Professional Services as the hearing officer rather than the Deputy Chief of Police. A person who is suspended will continue to receive notice of the suspension and an opportunity to be heard and present arguments and information at the appeal hearing, as well as a written final order that includes the basis for the findings.
Respect the Ride does not seek to limit, replace, or conflict with any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance. It also does not limit or prevent any law enforcement agency or entity from taking lawful action against any person in or on any RTD vehicle, facility, or property.
In addition to any other enforcement, riding an RTD vehicle without evidence that the proper fare has been paid may be treated in accordance with Colorado Traffic Code, C.R.S. § 42-4- 1416. Additionally, illegal activity may result in a citation under any applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance, including C.R.S. § 18-9-114 - Hindering Transportation (Class 2 Misdemeanor), and C.R.S. § 18-9-115 - Endangering Public Transportation and Utility Transmission (Class 3 Felony).
Appeal of Suspensions
Every person issued a written Notice of Suspension shall be entitled to a hearing. The purpose of the hearing is (a) to review and determine whether the evidentiary basis for issuance of the suspension is sufficient pursuant to violation of Respect the Ride; (b) to determine whether the length and scope of the suspension is commensurate with the nature of the violation; (c) to render a finding on whether it is more probable than not that the individual engaged in conduct justifying the suspension; (d) consider any mitigating and aggravating factors relevant to the scope and length of the suspension; (e) and issue a final suspension order to sustain, modify, or set aside the customer suspension.
All persons receiving a notice of suspension will receive notice of a hearing. RTD will consider any evidence that supports or negates a finding that the individual engaged in conduct justifying the suspension. Evidence that a corresponding criminal case was dismissed may be considered but is not dispositive of whether the individual engaged in conduct justifying the suspension.
Any person issued a Notice of Suspension may appeal their suspension to RTD within ten (10) business days of issuance. A request for appeal must include an appeals form, copy of the Notice of Suspension, grounds for appeal, the date of request, and contact information. For more information about the appeal process, email [email protected] or contact the Deputy Chief of RTD-PD by calling (303) 299-6000.
Community Outreach and Events
RTD has scheduled a number of outreach events and activities to engage with the community and solicit input about agency initiatives, including the proposed changes to Respect the Ride. A calendar of all RTD upcoming outreach events is available online. At upcoming events, RTD staff are available to answer questions.