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Home - City Guide - Denver - Getting Around | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Getting Around Public Transport Denver has an excellent public transport system run by Regional Transport Direct (RTD; tel: (303) 299 6000; e-mail: cis.mail@rtd-denver.com; web site: www.rtd-denver.com). RTD has 170 bus routes, 29km (18 miles) of light rail line and a number of special services, including the Skyride buses and the Cultural Connection Trolley. The light rail runs every ten minutes (0400-0100) and has 14 stops between 1-25 Streets and Broadway to 30th Street and Downing Street, including six downtown. The new extension runs to Mineral Avenue in Littleton Colorado. The Cultural Connection Trolley serves the main city centre attractions, including the Mint, Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The 16th Street Mall Shuttle runs between Broadway and Market Street, daily (0530-0200), stopping at every junction, and is free. The local bus service is comprehensive, covering all areas in Metro Denver and Greater Denver; the Skyride service alone has 29 stops, including Denver International Airport. Tickets for bus and the light rail cost US$1.25 at peak times (0600-0900 and 1600-1800) and US$0.75 at all other times. A ten-ride ticketbook costs US$9.50 if used at peak times, otherwise it is US$5.75. Visitors can purchase a day pass for US$3, which covers all travel on the Cultural Connection Trolley, light rail and the local bus service. The Market Street Bus Terminal caters for all local services and trips of up to one hour within the Greater Denver area. Tickets and passes can be purchased at the terminal, or the fare can be paid in cash on the bus although the exact amount is required as the driver has no change. There are also vending machines at light rail stations with clear instructions. Taxis Taxis can be hailed on the street but they rarely stop. Visitors should catch them at taxi ranks outside the major hotels and the bus and train stations, or call for one in advance. There are three reputable cab companies in Denver: Yellow Cab (tel: (303) 777 7777) and Metro Taxi (tel: (303) 333 3333) both charge US$1.60 per mile plus US$0.40 per person, while Zone Cab (tel: (303) 444 8888) costs US$1.40 per mile and do not charge any extra for up to five passengers. Tipping is customary, usually 15% of the fare. Limousines Admiral Limousines (tel: (800)828 8680 (303) 320 1101 ; fax: (303)320 7721; web site: www.admiral-limo.com), offers a complete service, by sedan or stretch limousines, including airport transfers, business, pleasure and transport to the ski areas. Rates start from US$79 for a basic airport transfer to downtown hotels, plus US$5 airport toll and an average 15% tip for the chauffeur. Driving in the City With such an efficient public transport system there is little need for a car in Denver, particularly downtown where it can get congested. Otherwise, getting around by car is easy outside of the peak travelling periods (0700-0900 and 1600-1800). Most of the major hotels have parking facilities for their guests and a recent survey revealed that there are over 42,000 parking spaces available to the public in the downtown area alone. Most blocks in downtown have either a garage, surface lot or on-street, metered parking. Larimer Square Parking, on Market Street, between 14th and 15th Streets, has six floors of covered parking and is free when tickets are validated by participating retail stores. Car Hire The minimum age for hiring a car is 25 years. A full national driving licence is required, as is a major credit card to cover the deposit and insurance excess. Insurance cover included in the basic hire cost is usually only third party and it is strongly advised that additional insurance be purchased to cover theft of or damage to the vehicle. Hirers will be liable for the full replacement value of the car even if it is not their fault. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) sometimes called Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) can cost as much as US$16 per day. All major car hire companies have offices in the city, including Avis (tel: (303) 340 5500), Budget (tel: (800) 527 0700), Dollar (tel: (303) 398 2323), Enterprise (tel: (303) 342 0717), Hertz (tel: (303) 342 3800), National (tel: (303) 340 5500) and Thrifty (tel: (303) 340 5500). The basic cost of car hire in Colorado is about US$45 per day, not including city and state taxes or additional insurance. Bicycle Hire Denver was the home of the first bicycle sold in the USA, and the State of Colorado is one of the best areas in America for recreational cycling. Bikes can be hired from Sports Rent, 1402 South Parker Rd ( tel: (303) 671 6700) and Blazing Saddles, Larimer Square, 1432 Market Street (tel: (303) 534 5255). Rates are US$5-9 per hour and US$25-45 per day. |
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