Plan an RTD Bus Trip with Current Routes, Schedule Times, Stops and Live Arrivals
RTD operates local, limited-stop, regional, airport, Flatiron Flyer, free downtown and reservation-based FlexRide services across Denver, Boulder and surrounding Colorado communities. Each route has its own schedule, direction, stop sequence and operating days.
Use this guide to choose the correct RTD service, find an official timetable, check Next Ride predictions, understand fares, locate a stop, read route-map PDFs and avoid using proposed or expired schedules.
Open RTD’s official schedules directory, select the route number or route name, choose the direction and service day, and then compare the timetable with Next Ride and active service alerts.
Choose the service
Select Local, Limited, Regional, SkyRide, Flatiron Flyer, FreeRide or FlexRide.
Choose the route
Match the number and full route name, such as 15 East Colfax or 15L East Colfax Limited.
Choose the direction
Use the destination or terminal displayed on the bus and official schedule.
Choose the day
Weekday, Saturday and Sunday or holiday service can have different trips.
Check live status
Review the stop prediction, vehicle position and service alert before leaving.
Do not use a route number alone: Route 15 and Route 15L follow the East Colfax corridor but use different stopping patterns. Routes containing “L” or “X” may not serve every local stop.
The current network reflects RTD’s June 7, 2026 service change. Route timing, frequency, terminals and operating hours may differ from schedules published before that date.
Current scheduleEffective now
Use schedules marked effective June 7, 2026 or later when RTD has issued a route-specific revision.
Routes with June improvementsUpdated
RTD identified improvements affecting routes including 0L, 10, 19, 21, 37, 43, 53, 80, 104L, ART, 287 and the 16th Street FreeRide.
FlexRide changesCheck service area
Denver Tech Center FlexRide gained expanded service, while Platte Valley FlexRide was discontinued.
September proposalsNot active yet
RTD has published proposed September 2026 changes. Do not use proposal details as the current timetable unless RTD finalizes them.
Freshness rule: a PDF can remain online after its effective period. Confirm the date printed on the route map or timetable and compare it with the current Next Ride route page.
Choose the correct RTD service
RTD Bus Route Types Explained
Local Bus Routes
Local routes make regular stops along neighborhood and city corridors. Examples include Route 0 Broadway, Route 15 East Colfax, Route 24 University Boulevard and Route 40 Colorado Boulevard.
Use these routes for everyday trips, local transfers and connections to rail stations.
The Flatiron Flyer is RTD’s U.S. 36 bus rapid transit service between Denver, Westminster, Broomfield, Superior, Louisville, Boulder and selected eastern destinations.
Current route options include FF1, FF2, FF3, FF4 and FF5.
Access-a-Ride is RTD’s ADA complementary paratransit service for eligible riders who cannot use regular fixed-route bus or light rail because of a disability.
Reservations are required one to seven days ahead; same-day Access-a-Ride service is not available.
Route directory limitation: special-event, seasonal, school-oriented and temporary replacement services can change independently. Always check RTD’s official schedule directory before travel.
Route-selection guide
Major RTD Bus Corridors and Common Trip Uses
The bars are visual route-family guides, not frequency measurements. Open the timetable for actual departure intervals.
East Colfax15 / 15L
Local + Ltd
Broadway0 / 0B / 0L
N–S
Federal30 / 31
N–S
Colorado Blvd40
N–S
U.S. 36FF routes
BRT
AirportAB / AT / L / X
DEN
Downtown Denver
Use routes serving Union Station, Civic Center Station, 15th/17th streets or the free downtown shuttles.
East Colfax and Aurora
Compare Route 15 local and Route 15L limited before selecting a boarding stop.
Boulder and U.S. 36
Compare Flatiron Flyer, BOLT, DASH, JUMP, SKIP and numbered Boulder routes.
Denver Airport
Compare AB, AT, 104L, 145X, 169L and the A Line based on origin and trip time.
Golden and Lakewood
Check Routes 16, 17, GS, W Line connections and Golden or Green Mountain FlexRide.
Aurora and Anschutz
Review 15, 15L, 121, 130, 133, 153, 169, 169L, FF5 and rail connections.
Official interactive map
View RTD Bus Routes, Stops, Stations and Park-n-Rides
Use the official system map to compare route lines, nearby stops, rail connections and RTD facilities. Zoom in before deciding which side of the road or station bay serves your direction.
Map-versus-stop warning: a route line can pass an intersection without serving every corner. Confirm the direction and stop ID in Next Ride.
How RTD times work
First Bus, Last Bus and Daily Schedule Times
RTD does not have one systemwide first or last bus time. Each route and direction has its own operating span, and some routes operate only during commuter periods or selected days.
Schedule Element
What It Means
What the Rider Should Do
Weekday schedule
Service published for Monday through Friday, excluding holidays using another schedule.
Confirm whether the date is a normal weekday or an observed holiday.
Saturday schedule
Trips may begin later, end earlier or run less often.
Do not reuse a weekday departure time.
Sunday / holiday
Some routes run reduced service while others do not operate.
Check the specific route and RTD holiday-service notice.
Timepoint
A major stop or station printed in the timetable.
Use the nearest earlier timepoint when estimating an intermediate stop.
Dash in timetable
The trip may not serve that timepoint.
Follow the row to determine the trip’s actual branch or terminal.
Limited route
The bus serves selected stops rather than every local stop.
Check the route map for the limited-stop symbol.
Express route
A route may operate only during selected commuter periods.
Check both operating days and direction-specific trip windows.
FlexRide pickup
A reservation window rather than a fixed-route stop time.
Be ready because a vehicle can arrive within RTD’s published pickup window.
Intermediate-stop rule: the time printed for a major station is not automatically the arrival time at the next neighborhood stop. Use the exact stop prediction when available.
Next Ride tools
Check RTD Live Bus Times and Vehicle Locations
Next Ride combines trip planning, schedules, route alerts, facilities and real-time vehicle locations. A live prediction is still an estimate and can change during traffic, weather or a detour.
Plan a Trip
Enter the starting point, destination and desired departure or arrival time.
Phone Trip Planning
Call 303-299-6000 when online tools are unavailable or language assistance is needed.
No vehicle shown? The bus may not have started the trip, may have lost location reporting, may be operating under a detour or may have been removed from service.
How to Find the Correct RTD Bus Stop
Route number
Confirm the complete code.
Route name
Match the corridor.
Direction
Check the destination.
Stop ID
Use the exact stop.
Street side
Confirm travel direction.
Alert status
Check relocation.
Search the route in Next Ride.
Open the route schedule rather than relying on a general map screenshot.
Select the destination direction.
A bus traveling on the correct street can still be going away from your destination.
Open the stop or facility.
Confirm the stop ID, intersection, station gate or boarding bay.
Check local versus limited service.
Route 15L, for example, serves limited stops that differ from Route 15 local service.
Review active alerts.
Construction, downtown events and weather can temporarily move the stop.
Match the destination sign.
Confirm both the route code and endpoint before boarding.
Station-gate warning: major facilities can have several gates serving different routes and directions. “At Union Station” is not precise enough to identify the boarding location.
Official RTD route-map viewers
View RTD Bus Route PDFs Inside the Article
RTD’s downloadable route PDFs are primarily route maps. Use Next Ride for the current direction-specific timetable and stop predictions.
Route 15L East Colfax Limited Map
This map shows the difference between local and limited stops, downtown routing, Colfax Station, Aurora Metro Center and connecting routes. The displayed map is effective January 4, 2026, so the current Next Ride schedule should also be checked.
The Route 17 map is effective June 7, 2026 and shows Golden, Colorado Mills, Federal Center Station, Oak Station, Green Mountain FlexRide and connecting routes.
This official map shows the zero-fare route between Union Station and Wade Blank Civic Center Station, including downtown rail connections and major destinations.
Viewer fallback: an agency PDF can be valid even when your browser blocks embedded display. Use the open-PDF button instead of assuming the document was removed.
Fares verified August 3, 2026
RTD Bus Fare, Day Pass and Airport Price
Standard 3-Hour Pass$2.75Bus and rail outside the Airport Fare Zone
Valid for three hours after validation at the applicable service level.
Standard Day Pass$5.50All service day outside the airport
Useful when making a round trip or several local and regional transfers.
Airport Day Pass$10.00Includes travel to and from Denver Airport
Valid across the RTD system for the service day, including the Airport Fare Zone.
Standard Monthly Pass$88Includes airport travel
Valid throughout the month across the system.
Rider or Fare Product
Price
Important Rule
Discount 3-Hour Pass
$1.35
Includes airport travel for eligible discount riders.
Discount Day Pass
$2.70
Valid all service day and includes airport travel.
Discount Monthly Pass
$27
Proof of discount eligibility is required.
Youth age 19 and under
Free
Proof of eligibility may be required.
Active-duty U.S. military
Free
Valid proof of active-duty status is required.
Access-a-Ride one-way
$4.50
Access-a-Ride LiVE fare is $2.25.
Access-a-Ride airport trip
$19
Access-a-Ride LiVE airport fare is $9.50.
16th Street FreeRide / Free MetroRide
Free
No ticket or pass is needed.
Discount eligibility: RTD discount fares apply to seniors age 65 and older, individuals with disabilities, Medicare recipients and approved LiVE customers.
MyRide App Barcode
Add funds, display the barcode and scan it at the validator when boarding.
MyRide Card
Load value onto a physical card and tap it at the bus validator.
Tap-n-Ride
Use an eligible contactless bank card or mobile wallet where RTD supports direct tap payment.
Mobile Ticket
Purchase a ticket in advance and activate it before boarding. Unused mobile tickets expire after the period stated by RTD.
Cash
Pay at the farebox with the required amount. Prepare exact payment because operators cannot function as cashiers.
Pass or Ticket Book
Follow the validation instructions for the specific physical fare product.
Fare-capping advantage: MyRide barcode and MyRide card payments can automatically convert eligible paid rides into Day and Monthly Pass value, preventing the account from exceeding the applicable cap.
Traveling with several people: separate mobile tickets may be required for companions. Fare capping does not automatically combine every passenger under one barcode.
AB Boulder / Airport
Connects Boulder-area stations and U.S. 36 facilities with Denver Airport. Select the exact AB trip pattern in the schedule.
AT Arapahoe County / Airport
Provides an airport option from the southeast metro area.
104L Wagon Road / Airport
Limited-stop service connecting the north metro area and the airport.
145X Brighton / Airport
Regional airport service for Brighton-area riders.
169L Buckley / Tower
Limited service in the Aurora and airport corridor.
A Line Rail
Provides a rail connection between Union Station and Denver Airport Station.
Airport Trip Checklist
Choose the airport route based on your starting location.
Check the first trip before an early flight.
Confirm the airport-bound direction.
Allow additional time for weather and traffic.
Purchase the correct airport fare.
Keep luggage clear of the aisle and door.
Check airline terminal and security time separately.
Review alerts before leaving for the stop.
Airline departure time is not the target bus arrival: include time for walking from Denver Airport Station or the bus gate, baggage, airline check-in and security screening.
U.S. 36 bus rapid transit
Flatiron Flyer Schedule and Station Guide
The Flatiron Flyer connects Denver, Westminster, Broomfield, Superior, Louisville, Boulder and selected eastern destinations using several route patterns.
FF1
Primary Denver–Boulder Station service with U.S. 36 station connections.
FF2
Express-oriented Denver–Boulder service. Confirm the limited stop pattern.
FF3
Connects Denver and Broomfield through the Flatiron Flyer network.
FF4
Serves Flatiron Flyer corridor stations using its published route pattern.
FF5
Connects Boulder with the Anschutz Medical Campus through the U.S. 36 corridor.
Station facilities
Major stations can include parking, bike racks, reservable bike lockers and connecting routes.
Bike capacity: RTD states that Flatiron Flyer buses can carry up to eight bicycles, more than a standard front bus rack.
FlexRide operates within defined service areas and connects riders with stations, Park-n-Rides, jobs, medical facilities, shopping and other neighborhood destinations.
Confirm that both points are inside the service area.
Open the FlexRide zone map and check the pickup and destination.
Choose pickup time or arrival time.
Use an arrival-by request when reaching an appointment or timed transfer.
Make the reservation.
Book online, use the FlexRide app or call 303-299-6000, option 2.
Book within the allowed window.
RTD allows reservations up to 30 days in advance and as little as 10 minutes before pickup, subject to availability.
Be ready for the pickup window.
RTD states that a FlexRide vehicle can arrive five minutes early or up to 10 minutes after the scheduled 10-minute pickup time.
Cancel early when plans change.
RTD asks riders to cancel at least two hours ahead when possible. A no-show policy took effect February 15, 2026.
Standard fare
$2.75 for a standard three-hour pass.
Discount fare
$1.35 for eligible discount riders.
Youth fare
Riders age 19 and younger ride free with required eligibility proof.
FlexRide Areas Named by RTD
Current service-area pages include Brighton, Broomfield, Denver Tech Center, Evergreen, Federal Heights, Golden, Green Mountain, Interlocken/Westmoor, Longmont, Louisville, Parker, South Jeffco, Superior, Thornton and Wagon Road.
No reservation exception: scheduled Flex routes departing an RTD station or Park-n-Ride do not require a reservation. Confirm that your trip is the scheduled pattern rather than an on-demand pickup.
16th Street FreeRide
Operates between Union Station and Wade Blank Civic Center Station along 16th Street. RTD publishes service from early morning until late at night every four to 12 minutes depending on time of day.
Event detours: downtown festivals, parades, street markets and construction can move either shuttle away from its usual street. Check alerts even though no fare is required.
Wheelchair Access, Priority Seating and Paratransit
RTD states that all buses, including the 16th Street FreeRide and Free MetroRide, are accessible for mobility aids such as wheelchairs, electric scooters, walkers and crutches.
Boarding ramp or lift
Ask the operator for assistance when needed. The operator is trained to support accessible boarding and exiting.
Wheelchair securement area
Each designated securement area accommodates one rider using a wheelchair or qualifying mobility aid.
Priority seating
Priority seats and securement areas must remain available to riders who need them.
Accessible stop limitation
An accessible bus does not guarantee that every sidewalk, curb or temporary stop is equally accessible.
Access-a-Ride
Eligibility-based ADA paratransit is available for riders unable to use regular fixed-route service because of a disability.
Language and TTY help
Customer Care provides free language assistance. Dial 711 for TTY relay.
Access-a-Ride reservations: call 303-292-6560. Reservations and cancellations are handled separately from general fixed-route trip planning.
Bicycles, E-Bikes, Scooters, Strollers and Luggage
Standard bus bike racks
RTD buses generally have front racks holding two bicycles. The 16th Street FreeRide is an exception.
E-bikes and e-scooters
RTD allows qualifying battery-powered e-bikes and e-scooters on exterior bus racks within published weight and tire-width limits.
No bikes inside buses
Bicycles are not allowed inside standard RTD buses except in an available luggage-storage compartment where RTD permits it.
Flatiron Flyer bikes
Flatiron Flyer vehicles can carry up to eight bicycles using their expanded storage configuration.
Strollers
Keep doors, aisles and wheelchair areas clear. Follow the operator’s direction when folding or repositioning a stroller is necessary.
Luggage
Keep bags under control and away from doors, aisles and priority spaces, especially on airport and regional routes.
Full rack: bike space is first come, first served. Prepare another trip option when the rack has reached capacity.
Record the route and direction.
Write down the bus route, boarding stop, exit stop, date and approximate time.
Report the item.
Call 303-299-6000, choose option 3, or submit RTD’s online lost-item report.
Describe it precisely.
Include color, brand, size, case, identifying marks and non-sensitive contents.
Allow processing time.
Found items are normally available after 1 p.m. on the next business day.
Confirm the pickup location.
Denver-area items generally go to Civic Center Station, while Boulder and Longmont items go to Downtown Boulder Station.
Protect sensitive accounts.
Lock a lost phone and cancel payment cards rather than waiting for the item to be found.
Civic Center Station Lost and Found
1550 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Downtown Boulder Station Lost and Found
1800 14th Street, Boulder, CO 80302
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Retention: RTD says qualifying found items are generally retained for at least seven days before disposal or donation. Some unsafe, perishable or low-value items are discarded immediately.
Independent-site disclosure: busschedule.us is not operated by RTD. It cannot change a schedule, locate a bus, sell an RTD fare product, approve paratransit eligibility or guarantee an arrival time.
Frequently Asked Questions About RTD Bus Schedules
Where can I find the current RTD bus schedule?
Use RTD’s official schedules directory at app.rtd-denver.com/schedules. Select the route, direction and day of service, then check the active alerts.
Does RTD have live bus tracking?
Yes. RTD’s Next Ride tools provide trip planning, upcoming departures and real-time vehicle locations when tracking information is available.
How much is the standard RTD bus fare?
The standard three-hour fare is $2.75. A standard Day Pass is $5.50, and the Airport Day Pass is $10.
Are RTD buses free for children and teenagers?
RTD’s Zero Fare for Youth program allows riders age 19 and younger to ride free. Proof of eligibility may be required.
What is the difference between Route 15 and Route 15L?
Route 15 is the local East Colfax service. Route 15L is a limited-stop service and does not serve every local Route 15 stop.
Does RTD provide free buses in downtown Denver?
Yes. The 16th Street FreeRide and Free MetroRide do not require a fare.
How do I reserve an RTD FlexRide trip?
Book through the FlexRide desktop or mobile app, or call RTD Customer Care at 303-299-6000 and choose option 2.
How far ahead can I book FlexRide?
RTD allows a FlexRide reservation up to 30 days in advance and, subject to availability, as little as 10 minutes before pickup. Recurring trips can be arranged further ahead under RTD’s rules.
Are all RTD buses wheelchair accessible?
RTD states that all fixed-route buses, the 16th Street FreeRide and Free MetroRide are accessible for mobility aids.
Can I take a bicycle on an RTD bus?
Bicycles normally use the exterior front rack and are not permitted inside standard buses. Most racks hold two bikes, while Flatiron Flyer vehicles can carry more.
Which RTD buses travel to Denver International Airport?
Airport bus options include 104L, 145X, 169L, AB and AT. The A Line provides a rail connection between Union Station and Denver Airport.
What should I do when an RTD bus is late?
Check Next Ride, review the route alert, confirm the stop and direction, and look for the next scheduled trip. Weather, traffic, construction and events can change predictions.
How do I report an item lost on an RTD bus?
Call 303-299-6000 and choose option 3, or submit RTD’s online lost-item report. Provide the route, direction, stops, date, time and detailed item description.
Are the September 2026 RTD route changes active?
Not merely because they appear on a proposal page. Use the final service-change notice and current route schedule before treating a proposed change as active.
