Federal Boulevard Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General
Federal Boulevard BRT is one of many bus rapid transit projects being planned in the Denver metro area. CDOT is working to balance community priorities and cost while meeting the established goals for the project:
- Improving safety along the corridor and at transit station areas
- Increasing transit reliability and ridership
- Decreasing transit travel times
- Promoting cultural vibrancy and quality of life along the corridor
- Increasing transit accessibility
- Improving connections and mobility
BRT will improve transit for existing riders and add high-quality service for new ones. Targeted bus lanes along the corridor will allow for more reliable and efficient transit service during all hours of the day.
BRT provides a high-quality and affordable service for those that rely on and choose transit. BRT will support CDOT in reaching greenhouse gas reduction targets, resulting in economic returns for the communities along the corridor while improving multimodal safety.
By increasing transit reliability and ridership, BRT aims to create a more dependable and widely utilized public transportation system, reduce transit travel times, and offer a more efficient commuting option. Federal Blvd. BRT also strengthens connectivity, and mobility and the quality of transportation along the corridor.
Currently, total delay along the entire corridor between 120th and Dartmouth avenues can be as high as 45 to 50 minutes in each direction. That means it currently can take an extra 45 to 50 minutes to travel by bus between 120th and Dartmouth avenues than it would if there were no traffic.
Bus rapid transit on Federal Boulevard will reduce delay and increase transit speed by:
- Adding transit signal priority, allowing buses to communicate with traffic signals as they approach an intersection, giving them the green light faster
- Level boarding at stations, allowing wheelchairs, walkers and strollers to easily access the bus
- Multiple door boarding, allowing more passengers to board quickly
- Off-board fare collection, allowing passengers to purchase tickets before they get on the bus
- Consolidation of stations, placing stations farther apart to reduce the number of stops and starts
Between 20th and 52nd avenues, bus rapid transit will operate in lanes shared with general traffic. However, additional improvements will be made in these areas to help improve transit time.
- Bypass Lanes and Queue Jumps: Bypass lanes and queue jumps are located at targeted intersections where buses typically experience significant delay. They provide priority to buses, allowing them to start across the intersection before general traffic, which helps reduce bus delays.
- Transit Signal Priority: Transit signal priority allows buses to communicate with traffic signals as they approach an intersection, giving them the green light faster.
- Improved stations and station consolidation: By decreasing the number of stations and making stations more effective through multi-door boarding and off-bus fare purchases, additional travel time is saved.
Enhanced stations typically include design elements that allow passengers to more efficiently get on and off the bus, and technology elements so that passengers waiting at the stop understand when their next bus will arrive. Stations are currently being designed using community input.
Funding for the Federal Boulevard BRT project does not include increased taxes.
Equity and Accessibility
Bus rapid transit on Federal Boulevard will be accessible leading up to the stations, purchasing tickets and boarding the bus.
Ticket vending machines at each station have both braille and audible directions as well as written directions in both English and Spanish. Level boarding at stations, allowing wheelchairs, walkers and strollers to easily access the bus without the use of lifts or ramps. Benches will be available for patrons who want to sit while waiting for the bus.
Tactile strips along the edge of the bus platform will denote boarding areas. They are detectable by foot or cane and contrast in color to the surrounding area.
A Spanish-speaking team member will respond via email or phone within one business day.
Safety
The Federal Boulevard bus rapid transit is driven by a comprehensive set of goals aimed at enhancing the overall community experience. Safety is a top priority, with a focus on improving conditions along the corridor and at transit stations.
The project will improve pedestrian crossings, visibility and lighting, and will address vehicle speeds through the design process. Sidewalk improvements will be made in the vicinity of the BRT station locations. The project’s side-running bus lanes will act as a buffer between pedestrians and car and truck traffic, improving the pedestrian experience. In addition, side-running bus lanes improve safety by reducing conflicts between buses and other vehicles, for example, sudden lane changes by impatient drivers. These project elements help mitigate several current issues contributing to unsafe conditions for pedestrians on Federal Boulevard.
Construction
Construction is estimated to start in 2027 and take 2 to 3 years. More details will be available prior to construction about job opportunities and construction impacts.
CDOT is committed to ensuring business access remains open during construction.
Bus Operation
Connections along Federal Boulevard to bus and rail are essential in providing mobility and increasing ridership as the Federal Boulevard bus rapid transit project joins the region wide network of public transportation.
Federal Boulevard bus rapid transit station locations connect with rail stations at Westminster Station to the B line, at Clear Creek/Federal Station to the G line, at Decatur/Federal Station to the W Line and at Englewood Station to the D Line. Connections to bus routes 15L, 16, 120, 114, 35 and 29 as well as a connection to the Federal/Evans transfer station for routes 35 and 36.
During peak hours (5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday/Holidays), bus rapid transit will run every 15 minutes in each direction north of Westminster Station and south of Evans Avenue and bus rapid transit will run every 7.5 minutes in between Westminster Station and Evans Avenue.
During off-peak hours (4 a.m. to 5 a.m./7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 a.m./7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 5 a.m. to 8 a.m./6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday/Holidays) buses will run every 30 minutes in each direction north of Westminster Station and south of Evans Avenue and buses will run every 15 minutes in between Westminster Station and Evans Avenue. During late night hours (10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday/Holidays) buses will run every 30 minutes in each direction for the full length of the corridor.
Headway Times - Peak Hours
| Days of the Week | Peak Travel Hours | Headway times north of Westminster Station and South of Evans Avenue (In each Direction) |
Headway Times between Evans Avenue and Westminster Station (In each Direction) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday through Friday | 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Every 15 minutes | Every 7.5 minutes |
| Saturday | 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Every 15 minutes | Every 7.5 minutes |
| Sundays and Holidays | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Every 15 minutes | Every 7.5 minutes |
Headway Times - Off-Peak Hours
| Days of the Week | Off-Peak Travel Hours | Headway times north of Westminster Station and South of Evans Avenue (In each Direction) |
Headway Times between Evans Avenue and Westminster Station (In each Direction) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday through Friday | 4 to 5 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. | Every 30 minutes | Every 15 minutes |
| Saturday | 5 to 6 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. | Every 30 minutes | Every 15 minutes |
| Sundays and Holidays | 5 to 8 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. | Every 30 minutes | Every 15 minutes |
Headway Times - Off-Peak Hours
| Days of the Week | Late-Night Travel Hours | Headway times north of Westminster Station and South of Evans Avenue (In each Direction) |
Headway Times between Evans Avenue and Westminster Station (In each Direction) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday through Saturday | 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. | Every 30 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
| Sundays and Holidays | 10 p.m. to midnight | Every 30 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
