Their fares are going up AGAIN to $2.25 in Jan 2011 (bumping the monthly expense to $90, which is more than my husband's car's monthly gas bill), they're unsafe (since they began plucking their "drivers" from a third-party company, there have been NUMBERS of bus-related accidents), it takes twice as long to get anywhere and their transfers are only valid for 2 hours, MAX...how is anyone supposed to do any kind of running around via mass transit in two hours before the transfer expires?? RTD used to be the #1 mass transit in the US, now they're just as expensive as NYC (I looked it up, people...we're paying as much as NYC's transit). And there's no other mass transit option to chose, so they're a monopoloy, they know it and they are taking full advantage. (PS...on a positive note, RTD's busses are usually reliable and on time, probably because they cut routes and times, so drivers naturally stay on time. If you're looking for reliability, RTD is your ride, but if your'e looking for safety and affordability, it's now better to try and find a car and drive yourself...at least you'll have something to show for the money you're spending) read more

Hey everyone, if you have had a good experience with a transit operator on RTD, go to the website and submit a compliment. These compliments get back to the drivers and, while they don't receive any monetary rewards, they do appreciate the recognition at group meetings. Go for it! http://www.rtd-denver.com/CustomerComments.shtml read more

I was a visitor in Denver from the UK, with no car. The RTD was great and good value. I found the service efficient and the drivers polite and helpful. The system is quite straightforward and the website is brilliant. Lots of information at bus stations. I found it useful to have a book of tickets, rather than have to have the exact change. Skyride is best value for getting to DIA. read more

I used to love RTD and would have given them 4 or 5 stars until just the other day. Since I do not own a car, my teenage daughter and I rely on RTD as our sole source of transportation around the Denver area. I am also disabled, and like many disabled or elderly persons, I receive my social security on the 3rd of every month, which means we can't buy our monthly passes until then. This has never been a problem before, because drivers and fare inspectors would allow passengers to ride on the previous month's RTD pass through the 3rd of the current month. Effective this month (August 2013), this is no longer the case, and now many low-income and disabled people are without transportation for the first 3 days of every month. It also forces us to waste what little precious money we have buying extra, single-ride tickets just so we can get to the store to buy our monthly passes. Instead of eliminating the 3 day grace period on monthly passes, and discriminating against the poor and disabled, in order to increase ticket sales - put a stop to all the people sneaking on board the trains for free. Turnstiles and a couple fare inspectors at EVERY train station to make sure EVERY passenger has a ticket or pass BEFORE boarding would probably double RTD's profits right there. read more

How do you have 5 15limited busses go by In a row before the 15 to chambers gets here and it's 15 minutes late. Worst transportation department in America. Can you please hire competent people please. You work staff really should stop begging for raises when you can't even perform your duties. read more

Well, I suppose it's time I review RTD considering it is my main form of transportation and RTD takes me to and from work nearly every day of the week. The buses are typically very clean. I've had a few drivers in the past that clearly didn't like their jobs, but for the most part, the drivers are friendly and helpful. I talk to my driver on the 121 every morning, we are on a first name basis. He even drops me right in front of my office so I don't have to walk from the stop. I've also been on the bus when the situation gets a bit sketch, and the drivers always maintain a cool, calm that makes me feel safe. In all the years of using RTD I've only been on 2 buses and 1 train that broke down. The buses and train are generally on time, given the occasional exception during the winter months. Taking the bus beats sitting in traffic, paying for cabs or gas, and it's a great way to love our planet-keep it green! Not to mention, it's some of the best people watching around. read more

RTD employees are amazing. They worked incredibly hard to help me out in my time of need- all with a big smile! I left my purse on the bus and was freaking out. They all worked really hard to locate it and when I picked it up they were great. They were so understanding and reassuring it really helped bring calm to a very stressful situation. read more

Yet another bus to not show.. People ask why I don't ride often. Why even post a Sunday schedule if you don't bother even attempting to keep to it? read more

too bad there is no....minus stars ! ...because rtd totally deserved it. is the worse service ever because its a type of monopoly there is no other competitors. they do what ever they want, the worse part is their drivers, it seems that they are focus to hire to most frustrated man on earth. only a very few ones behave like " people " . the hop line is a box of surprices , you never know when they can show up. the local busses are the less awful, they can go fast on the highway which is really good and it can be confortable inside. but often the drivers are pretty frustrated man. Rtd pretty much SUCKS read more

The RTD #6 bus line is in serious trouble, has been for some time but RTD is not addressing it. You see multiple 10s and 0s at the same 17th & Lawrence stop with maybe 5 passengers a bus, and the 6, chronically late to begin with, is packed with very unhappy people. Laat night, the loon driving this bus said he was late because he had to pick up people (don't they all?). Then, about 10 minutes into the trip he announces he will not be picking up any more passengers since he is late. So now, the poor folks waiting over 20 minutes for him see him sail on past due to his inability to know what he is doing. And RTD does nothing about this despite numerous complaints. And one wonders why people opt to drive and pollute instead ... read more

I get so stressed out when I make plans to go to the "Big City". Where to park? How much will it cost? Funny, cause I am a So. Cal transplant and I USED to roll very well. 17+ years later, not so much. Okay. So, I had to get to an appoinment on the 16th Street Mall. Beerfest happening. Rockies game. Van Morrisson. Knew parking was gonna be a bi-atch, not-to-mention crazy expensive. Stress, stress, stress. Wait a gosh darn minute! Take the BX (hop on the bus, gus, at McCaslin in Louisville), drops me off right on the mall, saves me gas money, parking fees, cruise through the traffic via HOV (the "Diamond Lane" as I still call it!) and voila! Yay! I'm a fan! Really, it was so easy and stress-free. Public transportation is THE way to go if you know your exact destination, don't mind walking a bit (We ARE the "most fit state" so suck it up) and can justify the cost to travel this way. I fly out of DIA at least once a month and pay 24-30 for parking. If scheduling allows, I'm pretty sure I'll hitch an RTD ride from now on. Bonus? I was "that girl" who paid with cash and the driver was so nice and accomodating, in spite of everyone else on board knowing full-well I was a Rapid Transit newbie! Found a seat, pulled out my iPod, sat back, and headed for D-town, stress free. Nice. read more

Had a driver slam the door in my face, then after letting me on rudely, took off throwing me down onto other passengers! I am big too, 6'2, 240, what if I was elderly? or if I was thrown onto a small elderly person? This is a serious safety issue!!!! Then the driver proceeded to speed on I25, constantly slamming on the breaks, switching lanes, tailgating as to not let people merge. In downtown Denver the driver was driving way faster than what is acceptable with pedestrians everywhere! Every passenger on the bus was visibly uncomfortable!! Several made comments to me about how the driver aggressively drove and threw me down. This person should NEVER drive a bus. RTD is a service provided to the public and should be done safely, and with a certain level of customer service, it isnt just driving!!! The bus was the 122x 8:40am, Wagon road stop southbound, on July 20, 2017, bus # 9345, driver wouldnt give his name was filling in for the regular driver of that route. I sincerely hope this driver is fired!!! Typically I would never want anyone to lose their job but this man has no place behind the wheel of a bus, nor dealing with people in any capacity! read more

Just about the worst transit system ever. The A line is a joke and they don't care. Taxpayers keep paying them without any revolt so they have no reason to change. Would be nice if the government cared enough about its citizens to do something about this. read more

I have been a Denverite for the past 28 years(all of it on the bus) and I have to say that I am very unhappy with RTD right now. Other than the light rail the overall service of RTD has turned to crap. First off; I am tired of having to pay extra for my bus pass so middle class people don't have to pay for parking downtown. RTD has total disregard for low income people judging by its fare structure which constantly goes up, it has gotten to the point that many low income people are having trouble coming up with the monthly fee of $60. At the same time that fares have gone up, RTD has cut off most of the monthly discount programs that used to be in place to offer low cost bus passes to people that desperately needed them, including the homeless who used to be able to buy passes for half-price. All of this for the creation of light rail, (I'm sorry but the bulk of RTD's passengers are still bus-riders). I feel that light rail is needed, mind you,but bus riders are getting the short end of the stick. This is why you see so many bus drivers just letting people on who don't have the correct fare, even they understand that the price has gotten too high. BTW: Eco-passes from companies are getting harder and harder to come by!! Secondly, Privatization: For those who take buses that are not privately contracted I say congratulations, for the rest of you, my condolences. I have dealt with contracted drivers who speak very little English, don't know where they are going, barely know how to drive and simply don't stop at assigned stops, and the worst is when the bus doesn't show up at all. Another thing that most people don't realize is that these buses are leased to these companies for about $1 a day, guaranteeing that the companies don't have enough money for maintenance, (that's why when you get on a contracted bus, it's usually filthy). During one particularly brutal winter I had two buses break down on me back to back because the wheelchair lifts didn't work, it got to the point that I left the house 2 hours early during that winter to get to work on time. All this so RTD can bust unions. RTD says they're not making any money, but they gave themselves (administration) a 35% raise, in the meantime RTD drivers had to fight to not have their pay cut. And Finally - Imminent Domain; RTD has done a wonderful job of using this strategy to force people out of homes and businesses that are standing in the way of light rails "progress", usually at the the expense of the home/business owner. It amazes me how RTD comes up with the money for so many extras like artwork and fancy lighting schemes but can't come up with the money to pay a fair price to the home/business owner who just got the rug pulled out from under them due to RTD's "expansion." I'm all for progress, but does it have to be so one-sided? And to those people who say that I am complaining and should buy a car if I don't like the service; I say, doesn't that defeat the whole purpose a transit system? I need not worry about these problems though, if RTD continues on its present course there will be alot of people using cars instead of buses. RTD - Reason.To.Drive. Thanks for listening. read more

Worst customer service ever, sadly with buses that are never on time and 65% rude driver with poor driving skills. My major issue is how the rider is treated once RTD is actually at fault for their services. I asked the CSR and floor supervisor for an alternate bus reroute to get me to work on time. The first lady tried but became argumentative, but tried giving a route later than what I needed. While waiting for a supervisor I got hung up on. Called back and waiting for the floor supervisor again, now this CSR was great, but the floor supervisor was like speaking to a brick wall. It seemed NO one cared that passengers were stranded and now subjected to an over crowded bus. Along with now being extremely late to work if we have a job now from being hours late to work. Can RTD provide a better recourse for their rides in situations like this? Or would it be best that the passengers take their business to alternative transportation companies like Lyft, Uber or cabs? Seems like a passenger strike would open someones eyes to improve customer relations with RTD ... read more

I had to select 1 star in order to write a review. I have been an RTD rider for some time and it seems like every bus that is scheduled to leave from Civic Center Station in the afternoon, does so in a timely manner. However, that is not the case with the 122X. I don't even remember the last time the 5:03pm bus showed up. Because 1 or 2 buses have already not shown up, that causes the next bus, 5:08pm, to be super crowded and there is no room for the riders at the next stops. However, I always see every FF4 and FF7 show up and leave on time. That's why there is never long lines there, only for the 122X buses that don't show up and have the slowest drivers ever. Also, how about implementing a "bus only" lane for the buses that get out of Civic Center Station and through the northbound I-25 HOV lane? You could get rid of metered parking on 18th and 20th Streets to help move the buses along. The 122X has no business calling itself an express route if buses don't show up, it takes 30 minutes just to get out of downtown, and the drivers are slow. RTD is supposed to encourage people to use public transit, not make us return to driving our cars because their express routes aren't really express routes. It also shouldn't take 30 minutes to get to work in the morning and then over an hour to get home in the afternoon if we are using an express bus route. Also, don't trust the RTD times going northbound with the 122X. They say they will get us there at a certain time when it should really say something like, "We will get you there eventually." read more

Anxiously awaited train to DIA from Stapleton, but will never use. Cheaper to park at one of the parking areas near the airport. Also saves the $18 roundtrip cost and avoids all the train delays. What a disappointment. Mass transit should be affordable to encourage use. read more

Hope you're not taking the FF1 or FF4! If so, it doesn't matter if you're on time (even though they have an online schedule for this very reason), because they don't abide by it anyway. Was on time to catch the FF1, but of course it wasn't there... in the meantime, the FF4 showed up five minutes early, and left. Doesn't sound like on time to me. Buses, drivers, and RTD need to start thinking about this as commuters plan around the online schedule. Please get it together. read more

Only 2 stars because of my comment which is a complaint. I am a mom of two boys, 3 yrs old and 1 yr old. The oldest is always sheering the driver with "Hello" and "Thank you. Bye bye". The youngest just mastered walking on his own. We commute by bus (the Dash) from Lafayette, CO to Boulder, CO to go to daycare (which is still a 10-min walk, uphill, from the bus stop). We take (many other) buses to go everywhere. We are frequent riders and we like taking the bus. Because my youngest boy just learned to walk, he needs to be in the stroller. Because my oldest boy is only 3, he cannot walk for long and he needs to be in the stroller sooner or later. He is only 3. How much did you walk when you were 3 (or 4 or 5 yrs old)? When it's cold, when it's snowy or raining? How much can you walk now??? Therefore, I use the double stroller. It's a stroller with side to side seating (instead of front back seating). Often, RTD has won best public transit system in North America, which shows that for the most part, RTD is really on top of its game. HOWEVER. However, there are a few drivers who are careless, i.e. jerks (sorry for my French) -and that's probably because there are a few managers above them who are jerks too. These few drivers either refuse to give me a ride (by not providing me with the lift for the stroller and myself to get on the bus) or request that I fold the stroller (preferably before boarding the bus) regardless of the amount of riders in the bus, and usually the bus is not crowded at all. This is discrimination. Our stroller is within RTD's maximum dimensions allowed for strollers, which are "Maximum size for an uncollapsed stroller is 48" long by 36" wide". The stroller fits on the lift and ramp. The stroller is within the width of the 2-seater bench and fits in the priority seating area leaving the aisle completely free. Have you ever folded a double stroller? It folds in one dimension. Our stroller folds flat (relatively). While all 4 wheels and the handle bar are removable, that would not "help the sauce" to move or carry the stroller. What would I do with single wheels in my hands? How can I carry a folded double stroller and my two kids all at once?!!?!!? Before saying that a parent has to fold his/her stroller, have you ever thought of what it really means? That means that I would have to climb up the bus stairs while carrying the flattened double stroller in one hand (have you ever carried a stroller in your arms? It's heavy!) while carrying my youngest boy in my other arm (because he is NOT going up the stairs or taking a seat on his own)?!? And what about my oldest boy? ...I provide him with no supervision while I manage to carry it all into the bus? How do I store the flattened double stroller while keeping my youngest boy (he's just 1) on the bench safe? Isn't safety first? Sometimes requests to fold my stroller came because the bus is or will be crowded. Bus drivers take riders up to being full from the back exit door to front exit door, and even past the white line on the front of the bus -packed like sardines. Is this safe??? I want to point out that there is an ad about strollers posted inside the bus that says "Be prepared to collapse your stroller before boarding a crowded bus to make room FOR ELDERLY or DISABLED passengers" It is understandable that elderly and disabled riders need space. But a parent with children SHOULD NOT have to make space for the general public. This is DISCRIMINATION . I am taking the bus with my kids and I have equal rights to ride the bus with my kids, and while they will be young enough, I will have to have our double stroller. On RTD's web page "Vehicle Accessibility" http://www.rtd-denver.com/Accessibility.shtml , here is the some appropriate wording to remind RTD drivers "Customers traveling with large items, such as luggage, grocery carts, and strollers may sit in the priority seating area, but should comply with the operator's request to relocate to other seating to accommodate an elderly or disabled passenger." This statement is clear and honest, and it should not be confused with making space for all other passengers so that the bus can be fuller. Remembering when I was pregnant...In a crowded bus, a seat should be offered to pregnant women. I strongly believe that another ad that reads "Please share your ride with elderly, disabled people, pregnant women and parents with kids" should be posted. This should also be an enforced RTD policy. These 4 groups of people have equal rights to board the bus -and with their equipment whether it is a cane, walking chair, wheel chair, stroller, etc, It is a need, it is a walking aid for my kids. having a stroller for kids is like the wheel chair for the disabled or the walking aid for the elderly. It's a need. It is not an extra piece of belongings that can be easily stowed away. read more

If you work in the South Metro Denver area you may be eligible for a 50% discount on the cost of your bus, light rail and call-n-Ride pass. For more information please check out www.triptowork.com read more

After recently moving to the Denver metro area, one of the very first things I checked out was the RTD, and gotta admit it's been the best public bus line I've been on in all the places I've ever lived. Awesome, well-covered routes that can get you just about anywhere without a lot of backtracking and crosstown traversing that are usually pretty commonplace with public transportation systems. I haven't checked all the routes yet, but have noticed route combinations and transfers that can get you all the way to Boulder and Eldora ski resort several times daily. Lots of Park and Ride lots are around. The drivers and general clientele of riders all seem a lot friendlier here than some other cities I've lived in. The buses are pretty modern, and most have exterior bike racks. My only suggestion would be to possibly add a few more stops in the Thornton/Northglenn area, but definitely no complaints. Check the website, www.rtd-denver.com for current timetables and routes. read more

I have lived in different parts of the Denver Boulder area for many years, and I think RTD service is poor for the following reasons and this is also a reflection of our general service of people of low income. But first i want to point out the positive aspects of RTD. 1. The drivers are nice people and very professional working in sometimes very hard conditions 2. the buses themselves are adequate, in terms of size, offering bike racks, and even using some alternative hybrid technologies. 3. I think the coverage area and routes are well thought out so that in Denver and Most of the metro area you can find a route or connecting route. now the bad. 1. The Price The bus prices are outrageous and I can tell that the money is not well allocated, and that government should put more money into helping lower the price. I think people do not even know how much they are ripped off, especially on some routes where the buses are overcrowded and often late. I think the people have been ripped off. in Brazil a lot of people marched when they tried to raise the bus prices. here it happens all too often. It is highway robbery. I have an old small car with pretty good mpg, and if I ride the bus it cost 4 times more in terms the money I would pen on gas for my car. This is to ride a crowded bus I am paying 4.50 (for round trip) on what would only cost me $1 in gas for riding my car. That is outrageous. Even with the title and insurance and registration costs driving a car should not be so much cheaper than the bus. when I look at all the low income people on the buses in Denver who pay by cash, I cannot believe they are ripped off. The cost of buss and public transportation in many cities should not be so high unless they are really delivering extremely excellent services. 2. Crowded an late buses. Some of the routes are awfully crowded. The buses on some routs are so late, even at times of day and night when there is little or no traffic, it is not the drivers fault. I took a bus three days in a row instead of driving and it was late at least 10 minutes each day. If there is a route with poor service they should improve it, however there are some routes in poor neighborhoods with high ridership levels (because people have no choice) that have had very poor service for years. I think the buses in the poor neighborhoods should be just as good as the ones in a rich college towns like boulder. There is a real disparity. I think they can afford to put more buses on some routes. if the bus is always late and and although it has high ridership it is not like there is overcrowding. They do not think about the time of loading and unloading on some routes where a lot of handicap or bike riders or people with shopping bags get on and off. On these routes they need more buses, not just longer buses. Since RTD cannot fulfill the schedule timeline they have they should spread out schedule time to at least not be over 10 or 15 minutes late in a repeated fashion. 3. Flex pass and eco-pass. These discounts are very small for small businesses and schools to pay. RTD is a hard bargainer. Even with the small saving I think it is overpriced. You think you are saving a little but it is really way overcharged to begin with. Buses should be lower price for everyone and students who are already in debt on student loans should have a much bigger discount. People will continue to buy cars and we will not have a greener economy without public transportation improving . The price just makes poor people poorer. This is something that should change. read more

light rail is great. Bus drivers are a totally different story. Some route drivers like to harass the disabled. They make the disabled prove their status every time they step on a bus...with an RTD-issued ID you can only get at Union station. Too much walking for some. read more

Terrible customer service. Rep I reached spoke as if the customer owed him for his having answered the phone. After I was asked to repeat the same info already provided, to spell the street name, and he still stated he didn't see any such address or street....I pointed out that the street was actually on the schedule map so I didn't know what else to tell him...didn't he have access to the maps we see on the schedules.......he began to inform me that he's TRYing to help me, Do I WANT him to HElp Me - I then asked for a supervisor, but each time I requested one he'd repeat the above again over my request. This went on and I thought he'd continue until I gave up and hung up, but he finally paused and acknowledged my last request for a supervisor. The woman who took the call from him though only wanted me to give her all of the start and stop and address and time info though. I kept telling her I was no longer interested in getting a route; that I wanted to leave a complaint about her rep - but she kept insisting in order to do that she needed to know where I was starting and going to. I asked her if she just wasn't going to take my complaint about her rep, and was informed she wasn't not going to help me, but I wasn't being helpful......I hung up. This wasn't the first time I've received such tone and attitude as if the customers must be put in their place. It's become the standard with RTD and, unfortunately, the surprise anymore would be friendly, knowledgeable, well-trained and helpful reps. read more

My parents are over 65, and took Skyride from the airport. They inquired about the senior discount, but the driver wasn't aware of it. So my parents paid full fare. I made a complaint. Within 24 hours, an actual person came to my home with free tickets for their return trip on Skyride. Yes, I was impressed with this customer service. I'm not sure about nowadays, but this pleasant experience occurred about 5 years ago. read more

RTD needs to spend a great deal less time promoting their "Cosmopolitan/International City" veneer and concentrate on getting buses and trains running per schedule. Especially on routes 44 and 38, they need to train their drivers the routes (and detours) before they drive the route and not have passengers end up being trainers. I waited for 2 D trains at Bdwy/I-24 that never showed and a far too late 0 LTD (Southglenn) - 3 hours to get home. Sorry RTD - your board and management need to be fired. Just a typical day in Denver. read more

This is the worst public transportation company I have ever encountered. I am originally from the northeast, and I have dealt with several transportation lines. I have encountered transportation companies from texas, california, nevada and new mexico, plus where i'm from pennsylvania and never have I dealt with a public transportation line as terrible as RTD. I have only been in colorado for three months and have dealt with this line in several counties, Boulder/Lafayette, Centennial. But as soon as I relocated to Denver, it has been one inconsistency after another. First with either buses being ridiculously LATE or EARLY, or they just decide to speed right past the stop while a passenger is waiting. These inconsistencies are so prevalent on the (105) bus route. I would never recommend this transportation co. Like I said previously I am not even from this state or have even been here that long to have dealt with these types of issues. I have made several complaints and the issues are still not corrected. Don't WASTE your time with this BUS Co. BUY A CAR!!! read more

My review is about the kiosks and website. I take the Light Rail to downtown. The ride is okay and the majority of the time, it is on time. What I cannot figure out is who is in charge of the kiosks and the website? Are they relatives of management? Because they certainly do not have any common sense. It used to be easy to punch the correct buttons on the kiosks and get your ticket to downtown, Union Station, etc. But now you have to know to hit "S" for Sixteenth Street Mall and "D" for Denver Union Station. Even an RTD employee who was helping me figure it out said it made no sense to him. And the website! Haven't they ever heard the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?" They have changed how to plan your trip. It used to be so easy. All I can think is that there must be some nepotism going on when they hired the people to work on the kiosks and the website because it surely wasn't for their common sense or smarts! Please don't let them be drivers! read more