Accessibility

The bus operator will clear the securement area and will attempt to board Individuals with a mobility aid prior to boarding others waiting at the bus stop to ensure access to the securement areas. If you use a wheelchair you may board the bus forward or backwards. If needed, ask the bus operator for assistance when boarding. Position your mobility aid in one of the designated securement areas so it does not block the aisle. Passengers using the lift or ramp may exit at any designated stop, unless the lift cannot be deployed or other conditions make the stop unsafe.

Yes, but you have the option to be secured. It is not required that you secure your wheelchair. Bus operators are instructed to offer securement to all passengers using wheelchairs and have been trained to do so properly. Inform the operator if you have a particular way you would like your wheelchair secured.

No, but you must position your wheelchair in the securement area.

All RTD buses have been designed to meet the Federal Regulations regarding Accessibility. Each securement area is designed to secure one (1) individual who uses a wheelchair.

Bus operators will attempt to contact RTD dispatch by all methods available. The Dispatcher will provide the operator with information on how you will be accommodated and the operator will relay the information to you. In either situation, if the next bus is not due to arrive for more than 30 minutes, the bus operator will offer you a transfer, and arrange alternative transportation before leaving the stop.

All RTD buses have securement and priority seating areas that are designated, with signage, for persons with disabilities or passengers using mobility aids.

“Securement Area” or “Securement Areas” means one or both of the areas required on a fixed route bus for the purpose of securing a wheelchair.

“Priority Seating” means the first row of seating that is not the Securement Area or Securement Areas. At least one (1) set of forward-facing seats will be so designated as priority seating.
 

With more than 140 bus routes traveling from north to south, east to west, and all points in between, you can get where you're going fast and hassle-free on RTD fixed route services. Fixed route service is free of charge for all Access-a-Ride users and offers you more freedom and flexibility. Learning to ride RTD fixed route is easy and we can help with the transition.

RTD offers a Free Travel Training Program which is designed for seniors (60+), people with disabilities, and others living with mobility limitations to learn how to ride public transit as a way to expand their transportation options and save money. There is no charge for the Travel Training Program. Participants can ride the fixed route and FlexRide buses for free and their Access-a-Ride service will remain unchanged. To learn how to ride transit, please contact RTD Training at 303-299-4144 or [email protected].

Yes, the bus operator will request other passengers move to make an accessible seat available for you.

If the securement area is full with other passengers using mobility aids the bus operator will contact their dispatcher using a high priority message for a quick response. They will fill out the ADA PAX PASS UP FORM, give you a copy, and relay to you how you will be accommodated.

If an individual in the securement area does not move at the bus operator’s request the operator will contact their dispatcher using a high priority message for a quick response. The dispatcher will provide information on how you will be accommodated.

Able bodied passengers traveling with large items, such as luggage, grocery caddies, and strollers must sit behind the bus Wheelchair Securement and Priority Seating areas and position their items so they are out of the aisle. They may use the extra space area for themselves and their belongings.

* Strollers must be collapsed prior to boarding. Only folded strollers will be allowed on board.

* All items must be readily movable and stowed behind the bus Wheelchair Securement and Priority Seating areas.

Disabled passengers using strollers will be allowed to board with their stroller un-collapsed and may sit in the securement area.

The bus operator will ask all passengers boarding with large items, such as luggage, grocery caddies, and strollers to use the extra space area for themselves and belongings. If a passenger refuses to use the extra space area and creates a conflict, the bus operator will contact their dispatcher for further instruction.

A “mobility aid” means a device, such as a wheelchair, scooter, or walker, designed for and used by an individual with a disability for the purpose of mobility, not for convenience only.

Yes, the operator will assist with boarding/exiting the lead train car and will request other passengers move to make an accessible seat or area available for you.

If the mobility device/wheelchair area is full with other passengers using mobility aids the light rail train operator will ask the current passengers in the designated seating area if they can move to make room for a passenger. If this is not possible, the train operator will inform the waiting passenger, advise the waiting passenger of the next train arriving, and will contact dispatch control to alert of the situation.

RTD provides additional space to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids within normal areas used by standees. The operator may offer use of this space.

RTD provides additional space to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids within normal areas used by standees. The operator may offer use of this space.

If an individual in the designated mobility device/wheelchair area does not move at the train operator’s request, the operator will contact dispatch alerting the situation. A waiting passenger may be asked to wait for the next arriving train.

Passengers may board with large items and strollers on any vehicle, provided the passenger can lift the item on board. Large items should not block access to the mobility device/wheelchair area or priority seating, prohibit movement of passengers, or block doors.

When a passenger with a large item or stroller boards the lead train at the top of the platform, the operator will advise the passenger upon boarding to use seats or spaces for standees behind the mobility device/wheelchair areas and priority seating for themselves and their objects. Train operators will remind passengers that do sit in designated mobility device/wheelchair areas that they will need to move should a rider with a mobility device need to board the train.

When a passenger with a large item or stroller boards the lead train at the top of the platform, the operator will advise the passenger upon boarding to use seats or spaces for standees behind the mobility device/wheelchair areas and priority seating for themselves and their objects. Train operators will remind passengers that do sit in designated mobility device/wheelchair areas that they will need to move should a rider with a mobility device need to board the train.

A “mobility aid” means a device, such as a wheelchair, scooter, or walker, designed for and used by an individual with a disability for the purpose of mobility, not for convenience only.
 

No, the operator stays in the cab and will not assist with boarding/exiting the vehicle. The on-board Transit Safety Officer (TSO) may be available for assistance but is not required to assist riders using mobility devices.

The designated mobility device/wheelchair area is adjacent to every door on every rail car. If the designated area is full, please travel to a another door area by exiting the rail car and entering another rail car.

The onboard Transit Safety Officer (TSO) may be able to assist with rearranging passengers into appropriate areas on the rail car vehicle, but is not required to do so.

Passengers may board with large items and strollers on any vehicle. Large items should not block access to the mobility device/wheelchair area or priority seating, prohibit movement of passengers, or block doors. If a passenger's large item and/or stroller is blocking the designated mobility device/wheelchair area, the onboard Transit Safety Operator (TSO) may assist in rearranging passengers and items, but is not required to do so.

The train operator will remain in the cab and will not assist passengers boarding with strollers, large items, and/or mobility devices. The onboard Transit Safety Officer (TSO) may be available for assistance but is not required to assist riders using mobility devices or with passengers boarding with strollers and/or large items.

A “mobility aid” means a device, such as a wheelchair, scooter, or walker, designed for and used by an individual with a disability for the purpose of mobility, not for convenience only.

No. Please inform the operator after paying your fare that you are traveling with an aide.

According to Federal and Colorado State regulations, Service Animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties.

The public perception of what a service animal is may not align with the standards set forth under ADA and DOT regulations. The following are key points to consider:

• A service animal must also be under the control of its handler at all times. This is usually accomplished with the use of a leash or harness and, in rare cases, by verbal command.
• A service animal has a calm demeanor, does not bark excessively or elicit violent and seriously disruptive behavior, and is house trained with a focus on its handler.
• Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.
• Comfort, emotional support and therapy animals do not qualify as service animals because they do not perform a service or task.
• Most service animals are bred to be a service animal, undergoing extensive behavioral and skills training with the goal of eventually assisting someone with a disability. Although there is no official certification, verification or licensing required to have a service animal, it often takes years before a service animal is ready for work.

RTD will remain consistent in adhering to all ADA and DOT regulations. We think that doing so best protects the rights of the disabled community.

Service animals may accompany a passenger with a disability. Please advise the bus operator if you need assistance finding a seat. The operator may deny boarding or request that you remove the animal if it becomes violent, disruptive, poses a threat to other passengers or is not housebroken.

For safety reasons, please keep service animals clear of the aisle, sitting on the floor, under the seat or completely on their owner's lap. Service animals are not allowed to sit on seats.

Yes, the Automatic Stop Announcements (ASA) system will announce stops along the route and popular transfer locations inside the bus, and broadcast route and final destination outside the bus when the door opens. If you have difficulty hearing or understanding the announcements, please notify the bus operator. Bus operators will call out transfer points and will notify visually impaired passengers of their stop upon request.

If there are issues with the accessibility or visibility at your bus stop contact RTD’s Customer Care by phone at 303-299-6000.

RTD has a snow removal crew that clears many of the busiest stops. However, with almost 10,000 bus stops, it is difficult for RTD to clear every stop. RTD is responsible for snow removal in certain areas but not in others, so RTD collaborates with municipalities and businesses to ensure the responsible party is aware of their obligations to clear the stop. When encountering problems at your bus stop, please contact RTD’s Customer Care by phone at 303-299-6000.

RTD offers a night stop service along all local RTD bus routes, except the downtown Denver area bordered by 11th Avenue, Grant Street, 23rd Street, Speer Boulevard, and I-25 due to the frequency of established stops and numerous police patrols. The service is provided as a safety measure for anyone who requests to be dropped off at any safe location along the route. Inform the bus driver you would like a night stop, at least one block in advance of your final destination.

The service is available mainly after the evening rush hour from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning, and is for deboarding passengers only. The driver will determine a safe deboarding location and ask that you exit through the front door of the bus.

 

RTD relies on our passengers and the general public to be aware of and alert to any suspicious or dangerous activity on RTD property. If you see something, say something. Always report suspicious behavior 24/7 to RTD’s Transit Watch, via phone at 303-299-2911, text at 303-434-9100, or e-mail at [email protected]. In extreme emergency situations always call 911.

6 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday - Friday 
9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Weekends/Holidays
 

Yes, you can also find assistance using Trip Planner.