Facts and Figures

The information on this web page is current as of March 31, 2024. The next update to the facts and figures will be made during the first quarter of 2025.

At a Glance

The Regional Transportation District was created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly to develop, operate, and maintain a mass transportation system for the benefit of 3.08 million people in RTD's service area. The 2,342 square miles district serves all or part of eight counties:

  • Boulder
  • Broomfield
  • Denver
  • Jefferson
  • Western Adams
  • Western Arapahoe
  • Northern Douglas
  • Weld

RTD is governed by a 15-member elected Board of Directors, with each district containing approximately 200,000 residents.

Access the latest Board updates here.

Service Overview

  • Service Area population: 3.09 million
  • Cities and towns served: 40 municipalities in 6 counties plus 2 city/county jurisdictions
  • Square miles in service area: 2,342 square miles
  • Weekday regular fixed-route scheduled miles: 135,495 (includes bus, rail, Free MallRide, Free MetroRide)
  • Annual regular fixed-route service miles operated: 60,532,485 (includes rail)
  • Passenger bus stops: 9,720
  • Number of fixed routes: 112
    • Commuter rail: 4
    • Light rail: 6
    • Local: 85
    • Regional: 12
      • Includes Limited: 10
    • SkyRide (Includes Airport): 5

Partnership Routes

  • Anschutz Shuttle
  • Englewood Shuttle
  • HOP

Specialized Bus Services

  • Access-a-Ride
  • FlexRide
  • SeniorRide
  • Van Pool (DRCOG Commuter Services)

Active Bus Fleet

  • Total buses (all are wheelchair lift-equipped): 1,028
  • RTD-owned and operated: 607
  • RTD-owned, operated by private carriers: 421
  • Peak-hour buses required: 8:08 a.m., 8:41 p.m.
  • Average age of fleet: 8.36 years (revenue)
  • Annual diesel fuel consumption (RTD-operated buses only): 3,355,843 million gallons
  • Access-a-Ride cutaways: 344
  • FlexRide cutaways: 58

Rail

Light rail

  • Total vehicles: 201
  • Miles of track: 60.1
  • Stations: 57

Commuter Rail

  • Total vehicles: 66
  • Miles of track: 54.09
  • Active Stations: 27

Ridership

2023

  • Annual boardings: 65,175,290
  • Bus boardings: 41,009,241
  • Access-a-Ride: 543,619
  • Rail Boardings: 21,318,629
    • Light rail: 12,740,358
    • Commuter rail: 8,578,271

2022

  • Annual boardings: 61,602,568
  • Bus boardings: 35,479,174
  • Access-a-Ride: 529,448
  • Rail Boardings: 21,540,452
    • Light rail: 13,604,641
    • Commuter rail: 7,935,811

2021

  • Annual boardings: 49,032,655
  • Bus boardings: 28,401,696
  • Access-a-Ride: 440,507
  • Rail Boardings: 16,601661
    • Light rail: 10,016,239
    • Commuter rail: 6,585,422

Financials

Total Operating Budget

  • 2023: $1,040.8 billion
  • 2022: $770.9 million
  • 2021: $629.4 million

Budgeted number of RTD employees

  • Salaried: 1,193
  • Represented: 2,264
  • Total: 3,457

Private Contractor Employees

  • Fixed route: 829
  • ADA and FlexRide: 586

More Facts and Figures

Clean AirRTD remains an industry leader with the use of alternative fuels and pollution reduction technology.Commuter Rail VehicleRTD’s commuter rail vehicles are heavier and travel faster than light rail vehicles, but operate in a similar way, using overhead electric lines.Downtown Express I-25 HOV LanesThe Downtown Express consists of 6.6 miles of bus/high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes running from downtown Denver to US 36.E, H LinesThe E and H lines opened November 17, 2006 as a part of the Southeast Rail Project. FasTracksFasTracks is RTD's voter-approved transit expansion program -- the largest in the nation -- that is transforming transportation through the Denver metro region.Flatiron FlyerThe Flatiron Flyer, or U.S. 36 bus rapid transit (BRT), is part of RTD’s 2004 voter-approved FasTracks plan to expand transit across the Denver metro region.Free MallRideRTD's Free MallRide connects you to the sights and sounds of downtown Denver. L LineIn 2018, the Welton Street segment of the D Line was split off to operate as the L Line between the 18th•Stout Station and the 30th•Downing Station.Union StationDenver’s Union Station is part of RTD’s 2004 voter-approved FasTracks plan to expand transit service across the Denver metro region.W LineThe W Line opened a corridor to the western region on April 26, 2013. The line runs from Union Station to Jefferson County Government Center, with stops along the way in Denver, Lakewood, and Golden.