Light rail users now must use shuttle buses to and from the Mineral and downtown Littleton Park-N-Ride locations because of the Jan. 16 freight train derailment.

The derailment just south of the downtown Littleton station damaged the light rail tracks so RTD immediately set up the shuttle-bus system to take light rail riders to the Englewood station, where they can board the train.

The shuttle buses do stop at the Oxford station but trains are not picking up passengers or letting them off at that location.

Scott Reed, RTD public affairs officer, said the district has 10 buses in use during the morning and evening rush hours. That number drops to seven during the day and three will be used after evening rush hour until the final trains run about 2:30 a.m. He said Jan. 19 that the bus-train connections will probably be in place for at least a week to 10 days.

In a related announcement, Reed said most of the passenger parking spots at the downtown Littleton Light Rail Station will be closed until the trains are running regular schedules again.

He said most of the track damage was just south of the Littleton station so the parking lot is being used to store the equipment and materials needed to make the track repairs.

Train derailment closed Southwest Light Rail Line south of Oxford

RTD runs shuttle back and forth to Englewood Station.

Seven to 10 days needed to get light rail back in full service.