Artist's rendering of the Westminster Station at West 69th Avenue (future Westminster Station Drive) and Grove Street. Rendering courtesy of the City of Westminster

RTD released a statement that the B Line from Denver Union Station to Westminster will be ready and open for service on July 25, 2016. This notice came from project concessionaire, Denver Transit Partners.

“RTD staff, our contractors as well as our federal, state and local partners have put in a remarkable effort to complete the B Line’s first segment,” RTD Chair of the Board of Directors Tom Tobiassen said. “This rail line will be the third project this year the agency opens to the public with the G and R Lines coming later in 2016. This many major transit line openings in one year are unprecedented in public transportation and the region should be proud of the collaboration that is making it happen.”

The B Line to Westminster will be the second electric commuter rail line to operate in Denver—the first being the University of Colorado A Line to Denver International Airport, which began service on April 22.

“Our ability to bring this type of rail connection to the Denver area is ground-breaking and will change the way residents and visitors experience our great cities,” said RTD’s CEO and General Manager Dave Genova. “We have elevated the standards of transit by implementing an electric commuter rail system that is safe, quick and highly accessible.”

Electric commuter rail vehicles are faster than light rail, with a top speed of 79 mph versus 55 mph.

This segment of the B Line will serve two stations—Denver’s Union Station and the new Westminster Station located at West 69th Avenue (future Westminster Station Drive) and Grove Street.

“The opening of Westminster Station in a few short months presents a tremendous opportunity for the city and regional commuters  — 11 minutes nonstop to Denver from a signature station will be a catalyst for future development,” Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison said. “We’re excited to be leading the way with the first connection on the FasTracks Northwest Rail line to Boulder and Longmont.”

The remaining segment, from south Westminster to Longmont, will be diesel-powered commuter rail. RTD states that Construction of the line from Westminster to Longmont will begin when funding becomes available.

Exterior view of the RTD Commuter Rail Car at Denver's Union Station.

Image courtesy RTD

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will begin its new bus rapid transit service, the Flatiron Flyer, on Jan. 3, 2016. Six Flatiron Flyer routes will service stations from Denver to Boulder along the U.S. 36 corridor. 

“The hallmark of bus rapid transit service is that it is frequent, reliable and more predictable,” said RTD Interim General Manager and CEO Dave Genova. “The Flatiron Flyer will enhance the rider’s experience by offering all of these elements, along with upgraded stations and brand new buses.”  

The six Flatiron Flyer routes :

• FF1- All station, all day service. Replaces the BV.
• FF2- Express service with connections only at Table Mesa and McCaslin. Runs primarily during weekday rush hours. Replaces the BX, BMX.
• FF3- Broomfield to Denver Union Station, during weekday rush hours. Replaces the BF, 86X.
• FF4- Boulder Junction Station to Civic Center Station during rush hour. Replaces the HX.
• FF5- Boulder Station to Anschutz Medical Campus. Replaces the DM.
• FF6- Boulder Junction Station to Denver Union Station. Replaces the S.

Fares for the Flatiron Flyer will be dependent on the starting and ending locations for a rider, with a one-way local fare being $2.60 or a one-way regional fare being $4.50. 

Along with more frequent and faster service, these new bus rapid transit routes also has improved stations with large canopies and windscreens for better weather protection at the six park-n-rides on U.S. 36; digital information screens with bus departure times; and 59 new branded vehicles that include USB ports and 120-volt outlets for passengers to charge laptops, tablets and smartphones.

Below is the Flatiron Flyer fare chart and a route conversion chart courtesy RTD:

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will implement a new fare structure beginning Jan. 1.

New features include day passes offering riders unlimited trips through the entire service day for the cost of a single round trip; simplified rail zones; a flat $9 fare for services to and from Denver International Airport; printers aboard buses for day pass purchases; and reclassified bus routes to simplify service categories.

“Our agency has spent a lot of time working with the community to develop what we think is the best fare structure for the growing Denver metro area,” said RTD Interim General Manager and CEO David Genova. “Next year will be historic for RTD with the opening of five new transit lines. We urge everyone to be ready for our implementation of new fare policies.”

RTD is asking passengers to “know your fare” before the new policies take effect. Riders should look into the best way to get to their destination, how much it will cost and where to buy the appropriate fare media.

The agency's new fare structure stems from a nearly two-year process that included an extensive public engagement process across the eight-county Denver metro region.

“The public gave great input, RTD listened and now we have a simplified, more equitable fare structure that will help connect people with our system and to one another across the metro area,” said RTD Board of Directors Chair Chuck Sisk.

• Local day passes will cost $5.20 and Regional/Airport day passes will cost $9. Day passes will provide unlimited trips throughout a service day for the cost of a round trip, and the Regional/Airport day pass will include an Airport fare.

• New bus and rail trip categories are Local, Regional and Airport.

• Express bus routes will become Local or Regional trips.

• New rail zones are A, B, C and Airport. Travel in one or two zones will require a Local fare; travel in three zones will require a Regional fare; and travel in the Airport zone will require an Airport fare.

• A one-way Local trip will cost $2.60; a one-way Regional trip will cost $4.50; and a one-way trip to or from DIA will cost $9.

• Half-fare discounts will still be available for elementary, middle and high school students ages 6-19, Medicare recipients, passengers with disabilities and people ages 65 and above. A one-way Local Discount trip will cost $1.30 and a Regional or Airport Discount trip will cost $4.50 for qualifying passengers.