Ore Cart Service & Transit Planning

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An image of a white shuttle bus with the words Via on it

Questions? Concerns?
Contact (303) 384-CART(2278) or orecart@mines.edu

Ore Cart Transit Service and Routes

The City of Golden, in partnership with Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and the West Line Corridor Collaborative, is launching the ‘Ore Cart’ free transit service this summer.

This pilot service is free for all riders, ADA accessible and will complement and expand access to existing transit options including the RTD 16 bus and W and G regional train lines.

All of the routes are considered 'pilots' and will be refined based on community feedback. If you have questions, concerns, a problem or an idea, please contact the Ore Cart Helpline at (303) 384-CART (2278).

Gold Route: Downtown Golden Circulator

  • Summer 2023 service hours: Buses arrive approximately every 15 minutes.
    • Monday- Friday: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    • NOTE: No service on Sundays after Labor Day
  • Please see the route map to the right. The shuttle will detour west on 10th St. at the beginning of every hour with stops at the Golden Library/Farmer's Market and the Golden Community Center and Canyon Gate Apartments.

Iron Route: Ward Road RTD G Line Station to Coors Technology Center, Downtown Golden and CSM Campus

  • On-demand, app-based microtransit service began August 1 and runs through November 30. Download the Iron Route On-Demand App
  • Service hours:
    • Monday - Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Trip start and end must be located within the three service areas: Ward Road RTD G Line station, Coors Technology Center and Downtown Golden/CSM Campus.
    This is a four-month pilot route operated by the West Line Corridor Collaborative. Continued service will be dependent on funding availability.

Silver Route: Colorado School of Mines Campus

  • Service hours:
    • Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Please see the route map to the right. The shuttle connects the CSM campus and Mines Park along with campus parking lots.

Tungsten Route: Jefferson Campus RTD W Line Station to Downtown Golden and CSM Campus

  • Service hours:
    • Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Please see the route map to the right. The shuttle connects the CSM campus, Downtown Golden and several senior housing complexes to the RTD W Line station at the Jefferson County campus. The return route includes the remote parking lot at the Splash at Fossil Trace and Jefferson County Human Services before returning to campus.

Ore Cart Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for FAQs on the service, or to ask your own question.

Future Transit Planning

The Ore Cart service is one part of the transit services available in the city. RTD continues to operate the 16 bus route between the Oak Street W Line station and Downtown Golden via South Golden Road. The Flex Ride also provides paratransit access for eligible residents within the city. Future transit planning initiatives will be added to this Guiding Golden page. If you have questions, please contact Matt Wempe, Principal Planner at 303.215.8884 or email mwempe@cityofgolden.net.

Questions? Concerns?
Contact (303) 384-CART(2278) or orecart@mines.edu

Ore Cart Transit Service and Routes

The City of Golden, in partnership with Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and the West Line Corridor Collaborative, is launching the ‘Ore Cart’ free transit service this summer.

This pilot service is free for all riders, ADA accessible and will complement and expand access to existing transit options including the RTD 16 bus and W and G regional train lines.

All of the routes are considered 'pilots' and will be refined based on community feedback. If you have questions, concerns, a problem or an idea, please contact the Ore Cart Helpline at (303) 384-CART (2278).

Gold Route: Downtown Golden Circulator

  • Summer 2023 service hours: Buses arrive approximately every 15 minutes.
    • Monday- Friday: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    • NOTE: No service on Sundays after Labor Day
  • Please see the route map to the right. The shuttle will detour west on 10th St. at the beginning of every hour with stops at the Golden Library/Farmer's Market and the Golden Community Center and Canyon Gate Apartments.

Iron Route: Ward Road RTD G Line Station to Coors Technology Center, Downtown Golden and CSM Campus

  • On-demand, app-based microtransit service began August 1 and runs through November 30. Download the Iron Route On-Demand App
  • Service hours:
    • Monday - Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Trip start and end must be located within the three service areas: Ward Road RTD G Line station, Coors Technology Center and Downtown Golden/CSM Campus.
    This is a four-month pilot route operated by the West Line Corridor Collaborative. Continued service will be dependent on funding availability.

Silver Route: Colorado School of Mines Campus

  • Service hours:
    • Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Please see the route map to the right. The shuttle connects the CSM campus and Mines Park along with campus parking lots.

Tungsten Route: Jefferson Campus RTD W Line Station to Downtown Golden and CSM Campus

  • Service hours:
    • Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Please see the route map to the right. The shuttle connects the CSM campus, Downtown Golden and several senior housing complexes to the RTD W Line station at the Jefferson County campus. The return route includes the remote parking lot at the Splash at Fossil Trace and Jefferson County Human Services before returning to campus.

Ore Cart Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for FAQs on the service, or to ask your own question.

Future Transit Planning

The Ore Cart service is one part of the transit services available in the city. RTD continues to operate the 16 bus route between the Oak Street W Line station and Downtown Golden via South Golden Road. The Flex Ride also provides paratransit access for eligible residents within the city. Future transit planning initiatives will be added to this Guiding Golden page. If you have questions, please contact Matt Wempe, Principal Planner at 303.215.8884 or email mwempe@cityofgolden.net.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

The Q&A section has been closed.  If you have any feedback or questions, please contact orecart@mines.edu or call (303) 384-CART (2278).

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    Do the OreCarts have different service hours on holidays?

    Genevieve asked 18 days ago

    The Ore Cart service does not run on Sundays or Mines school holidays (typically the state holiday calendar).

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    Is there a tracking tool or time schedule for the Ore Cart available on the app?

    Isabella asked about 1 month ago

    This tool is in development as part of a larger Ore Cart app.

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    What times will the Tungsten route arrive and depart from JeffCo Government Center? Would it be possible to post a timetable?

    Andrea asked about 1 month ago

    The Ore Cart service does not currently have a hard timetable similar to RTD bus routes.  This grants us greater flexibility to address community events, construction detours and other challenges.  The Tungsten Route runs approximately every 15 minutes, and the Jeffco W Line station is synced with the train arrival.

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    Does the Tungsten route run at regular intervals, or must you request via app?

    ShannonM asked about 1 month ago

    The Iron Route on-demand app only works to schedule service on that route.  We are working on a larger system application and will have more information later this fall.  

    The Tungsten Route runs approximately every 15 minutes.  The current service days and hours are now listed on this page and will be kept updated.

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    Will bikes be allowed on the Iron and Tungsten routes? I have been biking to and from these lines to get into Denver and have found that having my bike when I get there is indispensable.

    riesx125 asked 3 months ago

    Bike racks will not be added to the shuttles immediately.  This may be a future amenity added during the pilot program period over the next year.

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    Have you considered a route around North Table Mountain? It could reduce parking congestion at the trail heads and provide a reduce the need for the residents in the area to park downtown.

    Becca asked 3 months ago

    Access to Jefferson County trailheads and open space is part of ongoing transit planning conversations and may be incorporated in the future.

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    Will routes be added for weekdays? This could be a great advantage for elderly people to get around town for appointments and shopping.

    asked 3 months ago

    The additional Ore Cart routes launching this fall will operate on weekdays and weekends.  Schedule, route and other information will be posted shortly.

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    Will these new services be seen on services like google maps and transit app to make planning trips to Golden easier?

    Dominic asked 3 months ago

    The City, CSM and RTD are working to integrate local services into the Transit app and RTD's trip planner tool.  A specific launch date has not been set but is targeted for later this year as the pilot routes are refined.

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    Are dogs allowed on Ore Cart buses?

    3 months ago

    Service animals are permitted as required by federal transportation regulations. Non-service animals are not permitted on the buses.

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    Are tubes allowed on Ore Cart buses?

    3 months ago

    Uninflated tubes will fit and are welcome on the buses, wet or dry. Inflated tubes will not fit and can be carried along Clear Creek Trail on the north side of the creek. Tubing entry points have been marked on the trail for Summer 2023. Private outfitters may offer bus service upstream as well.

Page last updated: 21 Sep 2023, 02:21 PM