RTD adds new bus route – the ART District Connector – with latest service changes

DENVER (Jan. 23, 2025) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) added a new ART District Connector bus route as part of the latest service changes that took effect on Jan. 19. The new ART route connects some of Denver’s most visited cultural sites and operates at a 60-minute service frequency. The new route serves the Baker, Five Points, and Elyrea/Swansea neighborhoods, connecting the Santa Fe Art District, Denver Theatre District, and RiNo Arts District between the Alameda and 40th•Colorado rail stations.

The ART District Connector is a combination of the eastern segments of routes 1 and 44 while the western segments now end at Civic Center Station. The new route provides a unique connection through the heart of downtown Denver and customers can journey across the angled downtown street grid that follows the curve of the South Platte River.

RTD gathers community feedback regarding service changes three times a year prior to formalizing the service updates. During the review period, 94% of customers surveyed viewed the addition of this new route positively.

RTD also added more than 200 combined weekly bus and rail revenue service hours on Jan. 19. Other changes included increased frequencies on the E and H lines, service increases on 15 bus routes across the Denver metro area, and the reinstatement of the AB2 route between Boulder and Denver International Airport. RTD was able to increase its bus and rail services due to significant progress made over the past year in hiring frontline positions.

RTD adjusts its schedule three times a year to address ridership changes, traffic patterns, maintenance activities and customer feedback that affect its bus and rail system. Some of the changes support on-time performance, increase service reliability and allow for necessary maintenance activities to be performed efficiently. For a complete look at the changes RTD is making, visit Service Changes.

RTD encourages customers to use the Next Ride app to plan for any travel adjustments from affected bus routes and rail lines.

An overall summary of the latest service changes include: 

Rail services

• The E and H lines reinstated 15-minute service frequency

Bus services

• The Art District Connector is a new route that combines the eastern segments of routes 1 and 44 to connect the Baker and Five Points neighborhoods between the Alameda and 40th and Colorado rail stations. Route alignment and frequency on the western segments of routes 1 and 44 remain the same.
• Routes which received minor schedule adjustments to improve on time performance include AB2, 1, 44, 35, 45, 52, 59, 76, ILFX, NBFX, NB1/NB2 and LD1/LD3, 15
• Routes with increased service include 24, 49, 73, 83D, 100, 139, AB1, FF5, LD1/LD3, NB1/NB2

Access-a-Ride

• Customers who use Access-a-Ride should be aware that any reductions or improvements to regular bus and rail routes may also impact paratransit service availability. RTD is committed to ensuring that paratransit services remain accessible and will communicate any changes that may affect these services.

For a comprehensive list of updates, visit Service Changes.

Keep up to date on service by signing up for Service Alerts. For route and schedule information, call RTD Customer Care at 303.299.6000 (Mondays-Fridays 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. and weekends/holidays 9 a.m.-6 p.m.). Dial 711 for the speech and hearing impaired. Visit RTD’s website at rtd-denver.com.