University of Colorado A Line Marks Advancement in Efforts to Connect Everyone to Everything

On Friday, April 22, 2016 the Downtown Denver Partnership joined the Regional Transportation District (RTD), City and private-sector leaders, as well as the entire community, to celebrate the opening of the University of Colorado A Line connecting Denver Union Station and Denver International Airport (DIA) via a 37-minute commuter rail journey. The opening of the University of Colorado A Line, one of several significant transit expansions this year, fulfills the 2007 Downtown Area Plan goal to create a world class portal from DIA to Denver Union Station, further establishing Downtown Denver as the premier business hub of the Rocky Mountain Region.

Part of RTD’s FasTracks program, a voter-approved multi-billion dollar comprehensive transit expansion plan to build 122 miles of new commuter and light rail and 18 miles of bus rapid transit, the new line is expected to increase the number of travelers through Union Station from 24,000 to 104,000. As a result, the Partnership worked with the City and County of Denver on several wayfinding initiatives in and around Union Station, including enhanced cross-walks and bike lane improvements at 17th and Wynkoop Streets. Additional bicycle parking facilities and B-cycle stations have also been added to the area that is easily accessible by the Free MallRide, Free MetroRide, C, E and W light rail lines, and several regional and local buses.

“The Downtown Denver Partnership was one of the earliest supporters of FasTracks, recognizing its ability to connect Downtown Denver as the economic hub of the entire metro area,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “2016 will be a transformative year for multi-modal transportation development in the center city, and we applaud RTD’s commitment to this project that allows Denver to join a number of world-class cities that offer direct rail connections from the airport to the center city.”

According to the 2015 Downtown Denver Commuter Survey, produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership, 40.6 percent of commuters to Downtown use transit. The convenience of transit will further increase when, in addition to the Flatiron Flyer (U.S. 36 Bus Rapid Transit) service that opened earlier this year, the G Line, Northwest Rail Line (B Line), and I-225 Rail Line (R Line) will open to enhance connections to Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Westminster and Aurora.

In addition to cost-effective convenience, the University of Colorado A Line also brings a great entry sequence for visitors, residents and employees to Downtown Denver as they transition from our world-class airport to a grand entrance in Downtown’s “living room” at Union Station. Further details about the University of Colorado A Line, FasTracks and more are available at rtd-denver.com.

Key Facts about the Train to the Plane

• Fare: $9 fare to DIA, no matter where your trip originates, includes unlimited same-day travel throughout the RTD system. EcoPass holders can travel to DIA without incurring any extra costs.
• Frequency: Trains will travel every 15 minutes between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. through 8 stations.
• Grand Opening: Rides are free on April 22nd and 23rd from 12 – 9 p.m. Stations along the line, many of which have new art installations, have also planned celebrations throughout the day on April 23rd.
• Parking: 4,300 additional parking spaces have been added to support the A Line, although no RTD parking is available at Denver Union Station.

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