RTD may eliminate Denver’s free 16th Street shuttle, light-rail lines as it weighs up to $62 million in cuts
- Posted on July 14, 2026
- By The Denver Post
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- 1 min read
In brief
Denver's Regional Transportation District faces significant budget constraints and is considering drastic service reductions. The proposed cuts could eliminate the popular 16th Street FreeRide shuttle, which served over 2.3 million passengers annually, alongside potential light-rail line closures. These measures aim to address a projected $62 million deficit, forcing transit officials to make difficult decisions that would substantially impact urban mobility and commuter access across the metropolitan area.
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RTD may eliminate Denver’s free 16th Street shuttle, light-rail lines as it weighs up to $62 million in cuts
In all but one scenario, RTD would cut the 16th Street FreeRide — which had 2.3 million riders last year — to save an estimated $9.5 million.
