This article is part of our Moving to Denver guide.
Last updated October 19, 2026
Public transit in Denver is run by one agency, the Regional Transportation District (RTD), which operates buses, light rail and commuter rail trains, including a train to Denver International Airport. One fare system covers all of it: a 3-Hour Pass is $2.75, a Day Pass is $5.50 and a Monthly Pass is $88, and riders 19 and under ride free. In 2026 the system is in the middle of a big downtown track rebuild, so several light rail lines are suspended or rerouted until early 2027. Transit works well along rail lines and busy corridors like Colfax Avenue, and much less well once you leave them.
Which train lines run in Denver in 2026?
RTD has two kinds of trains. Commuter rail lines (A, B, G and N) are full-size electric trains that start at Denver Union Station. Light rail lines are smaller trains that run mostly south and west of downtown. Since June 7, 2026, RTD has been rebuilding its oldest downtown tracks, a $152 million project expected to wrap up its current phase in the first quarter of 2027. That work changed the light rail map.
| Line | Type | Where it goes | Fall 2026 status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Commuter rail | Union Station to Denver Airport | Every 15 minutes from about 6:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., every 30 minutes otherwise |
| B | Commuter rail | Union Station to Westminster | Every 30 minutes at weekday rush hours, hourly at other times |
| G | Commuter rail | Union Station to Arvada and Wheat Ridge | Back to every 15 minutes on weekdays since June 2026 |
| N | Commuter rail | Union Station to Eastlake-124th in Thornton | Every 20 minutes at peak, 30 minutes off-peak |
| E, W, R | Light rail | Southeast suburbs (E, R) and west to Lakewood and Golden (W) | Running; R extended south to RidgeGate Parkway |
| C and T | Light rail | C: Union Station to Littleton. T: temporary line on the southeast corridor | Temporary lines added during the downtown rebuild |
| D, H, L | Light rail | Downtown, Littleton, Aurora and Five Points | Suspended during the rebuild; the D Line will be dropped for good |
If you ride light rail from the southeast suburbs, expect to change trains at I-25-Broadway station for now. The L Line through Five Points is suspended until the rebuild finishes in 2027; Route 43 buses cover that stretch instead. Short weekend closures and bus shuttles are common, so check RTD’s service alerts or the NextRide app before you go.
How do Denver buses work, and what changed on Colfax?
Buses reach far more of the city than the trains do. Local routes run along major streets, routes with an “L” are limited-stop versions, and regional routes like the AB link Boulder and the airport.
The biggest change is on East Colfax Avenue, one of RTD’s busiest corridors. On September 27, 2026, Route 15 buses moved into new center bus-only lanes between Broadway and Colorado Boulevard, about 2.5 miles, with new stations in the middle of the street. The full East Colfax bus rapid transit line, running out to Aurora with new buses, ticket machines and real-time signs, is expected in 2027. Planned service is a bus about every 4.3 minutes.
Is there free transit downtown?
Yes. The 16th Street FreeRide, the shuttle long known as the MallRide, runs for free along 16th Street between Union Station and Civic Center Station, about 1.25 miles. After years of detours during the street’s reconstruction, full end-to-end service came back in October 2025. Since June 2026, shuttles come about every 3 minutes, seven days a week. You just get on; there’s nothing to tap.
One caution: in July 2026, the RTD board voted to plan $20 million in service cuts for 2027, and the FreeRide was named as a likely candidate because it is costly to run. No routes have been picked yet. RTD expects to settle the list by June 2027, after public review.
How much does RTD cost, and how do you pay?
RTD lowered and simplified its fares in 2024. Every pass covers both buses and trains.
| Pass | Regular fare | Discount fare |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Hour Pass | $2.75 | $1.35 |
| Day Pass | $5.50 | $2.70 |
| Airport Day Pass | $10 | No extra charge |
| Monthly Pass (includes airport) | $88 | $27 |
There are three easy ways to pay:
- Tap-n-Ride: tap a contactless credit or debit card, or Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay, on the reader when you board.
- MyRide: use the barcode in the RTD NextRide app or a reloadable MyRide card.
- Other apps and cash: passes are also sold in the Uber and Transit apps, at rail ticket machines, and with cash on buses.
Fare capping is the reason to use Tap-n-Ride or MyRide. When you pay with either one, RTD keeps track of your 3-Hour Passes and turns them into a Day Pass, and then a Monthly Pass, once you’ve paid enough. You never pay more than the pass price. Capping counts each card or phone on its own, so pay with the same one every time. On trains, keep proof of payment handy. Fare inspectors check often, and a citation is a $75 base fine plus court fees, according to a September 2026 report. RTD’s board is studying a cheaper administrative ticket, but nothing has changed yet.
Who rides free or at a discount?
- Zero Fare for Youth: everyone 19 and under rides every RTD service free, including the airport train. Riders 6 to 19 may be asked for a school ID or a government photo ID showing their age.
- LiVE: RTD’s income-based discount for adults 20 and older whose household income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. You apply through Colorado’s PEAK benefits website or by phone with Denver Human Services. You don’t need a Social Security number. More than 18,000 people were enrolled as of August 2025.
- Seniors, disability and Medicare: riders 65 and older, people with disabilities and Medicare cardholders pay the same discount fares as LiVE riders.
All discount fares include the airport. A $27 discount Monthly Pass covers the A Line too.
How do you get to the airport on transit?
Take the A Line from Union Station. The 23-mile trip takes about 37 minutes, with six stops in between, and ends at a station beside the Westin hotel connected to the main terminal. It costs $10 with an Airport Day Pass, which also covers the rest of your day on RTD. If you already have a 3-Hour Pass or Day Pass, you can pay a cash upgrade instead. A Monthly Pass, a discount fare or Zero Fare for Youth covers the trip at no extra cost.
The A Line has occasional maintenance shutdowns with bus shuttles, and trains ran only every 30 minutes from September 29 to October 10, 2026, during crossing repairs. Check alerts before a flight.
What about bike share, scooters and e-bike rebates?
Denver’s shared scooters and e-bikes come from one company, Veo, which replaced Lime and Bird in May 2026 under a three-year city contract. Rides cost $1 to unlock plus 25 cents a minute for Denver residents. Veo Access gives income-qualified riders 60 free minutes a day. Downtown and in LoDo, you must end your ride in a marked parking corral. Riding on sidewalks is not allowed.
If you want your own e-bike, Denver’s rebate program is still running in 2026. The standard rebate is $675, taken off the price at a participating bike shop. You can combine it with Colorado’s $225 e-bike tax credit, for $900 off in total. New this year, the standard rebate is limited to households below area median income (for example, about $98,100 for one person). Vouchers come out in rounds and go fast, so watch denvergov.org/ebike for the next release.
Where does transit work in Denver, and where doesn’t it?
Transit works best if you live and work close to downtown. That includes Union Station, LoDo, Capitol Hill, Uptown, Five Points and the Golden Triangle. In those areas, frequent buses, the free 16th Street shuttle and several train lines overlap. The East Colfax corridor is improving quickly. Living within a short walk of a 15-minute train line, such as the A, G or E, also works well for commuting.
It works less well for crosstown trips, late nights and much of the suburbs, where many buses come every 30 minutes or less often and trips can take several transfers. The B and N lines stop short of their planned ends, and RTD’s board chair has said the agency can’t afford to finish the original FasTracks rail plan. The 2027 cuts could thin service further. If transit matters to you, pick your apartment near a frequent line first. See our guide on whether you need a car in Denver and our neighborhood guide for newcomers. Our sister site, DenverApartmentBuildings.com, lists apartment buildings around Union Station, the system’s main hub.
A Monthly Pass at $88 is far cheaper than owning a car. See what it costs to live in Denver for the full budget, or start at our Denver moving hub.
Frequently asked questions about public transit in Denver
Is RTD light rail running normally in 2026?
Not entirely. The D, H and L lines are suspended during the downtown track rebuild, and temporary C and T lines fill some of the gaps. The current phase is expected to finish in early 2027.
How much is the train from Denver airport to downtown?
It’s $10 with an Airport Day Pass, which works on all RTD buses and trains for the rest of that day. Riders 19 and under ride free, and discount riders pay nothing extra for the airport.
Do I need a special card to ride RTD?
No. You can tap a contactless bank card or your phone’s mobile wallet on the reader. Use the same card or phone every time so fare capping limits your cost to the Day or Monthly Pass price.
Is the 16th Street shuttle still free?
Yes, as of October 2026 it’s free and runs about every 3 minutes. RTD has named it a possible candidate for 2027 budget cuts, but no decision has been made.
Sources
- Fares, discounts, fare capping and payment: RTD, Fares (October 2026)
- Downtown rail reconstruction: RTD, Next area of Downtown Rail Reconstruction begins in June (May 2026)
- June 2026 rail changes: RTD, Service changes take effect today (June 2026)
- September 2026 rail and bus changes: RTD, Final September 2026 service changes (September 2026)
- Service alerts and A Line repairs: RTD, Service disruption news (October 2026)
- N Line: RTD, N Line facts and figures (accessed October 2026)
- G and B Line frequencies, FasTracks: Denverite, RTD proposes G and B Line schedule changes (February 2026)
- East Colfax bus lanes: Denverite, Colfax bus construction ending (September 2026)
- 2027 service cuts: Denverite, RTD board votes on service cuts (July 2026)
- 16th Street FreeRide: RTD, Sharp increase in 16th Street FreeRide boardings (December 2025)
- Fare citations: Hoodline, RTD board weighs trading $75 fare citations for $10 tickets (September 2026)
- Youth proof of age and fare inspection: RTD, Fare evasion (accessed October 2026)
- LiVE eligibility: RTD, LiVE program growth (October 2025)
- Airport train: Visit Denver, Denver’s train to the airport (accessed October 2026)
- Shared scooters and bikes: Denver Gazette, Veo rolls onto Denver streets (May 2026)
- Micromobility rules: City and County of Denver, Shared bike and scooter program (accessed October 2026)
- E-bike rebate: Denver Gazette, News nuggets: e-bikes (May 2026)
Author: Go Big City Team
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