FAQs

What is FasTracks?
FasTracks is RTD's voter-approved $4.7 billion, 12-year program to expand rail and bus service throughout the RTD service area. Scheduled for completion in 2017, FasTracks will create six new commuter rail and light rail corridors, extend three existing corridors, build 18 miles of Bus Rapid Transit, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and expand bus service across the entire eight-county District.

How Much Will It Cost?
FasTracks will cost $4.7 billion to construct over 12 years and will be funded by a combination of a region-wide sales tax, federal funds, and local contributions.

When will FasTracks be completed?
Over the final five years of FasTracks (2012-2017), RTD will be completing projects every year, with the final FasTracks-funded projects opening in 2017. Following is the current projected completion schedule for each of the FasTracks projects. Each is projected to begin passenger service the following year.

2012
Union Station
West Corridor

2014
Northwest Rail Corridor
East Corridor
Central Corridor Extension

2015
North Metro Corridor
I-225 Corridor
Gold Line

2016
Southwest Corridor Extension
US 36 Corridor Bus Rapid Transit
Southeast Corridor Extension

What types of transit are included as part of FasTracks?
The FasTracks system will integrate several types of transit, including commuter rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and local buses. Street cars are also being considered for some of the urban corridors.

What is the difference between light rail and commuter rail?
Light rail is a passenger train powered by overhead electrical wires. It has a lighter frame and smaller body than a traditional train, thus its name, "light" rail. Because of its "lighter" size and turning radius, light rail has the ability to operate along crowded city streets and within tight urban corridors with frequent stops, where quick acceleration and deceleration are necessary.

Commuter rail is a passenger train that can be operated either by diesel fuel or electricity. It is used for local or regional service, typically of longer distances, operating between a central city and surrounding communities or activity centers. Commuter rail has a heavier frame and larger body than light rail, and usually operates in an existing rail corridor along freight and/or passenger rail lines. The interior is designed to provide a comfortable ride for longer distances with larger cushioned seats much like those found on RTD's regional and skyride bus routes.

What is Bus Rapid Transit?
Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, allows buses to operate more like a rail system. BRT can travel in separate highway lanes and uses rail-like stations for loading and unloading passengers. It also has the flexibility to travel in mixed traffic and on local streets. The vehicles typically have more doors and are lower to the ground, to allow rapid passenger loading and unloading.