Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

May 7, 2026

Marya Washburn, CDOT Policy and Programs Communications Manager

720-378-4587 | marya.washburn@state.co.us

Kiernan Maletsky. RTD Director of Long-Range Planning

719-440-8370 | kiernan.maletsky@rtd-denver.com

CTE and RTD Announce Milestone $9.3 Million in Funding to Increase Frequency of Certain Bus Routes

Agreement marks first funding through SB24-230 transit formula grant program.

Statewide — The Colorado Clean Transit Enterprise and RTD announced a $9.3 million grant to increase frequency and launch new service on key bus routes as well as restore service on some routes, while providing extra capacity for high-volume events.

This funding, authorized under Senate Bill 24-230, marks the first award under the new formula grant program created by the legislature and signed by Gov. Jared Polis, representing the largest single investment CTE, a state-owned business housed within the Colorado Department of Transportation, will make for Fiscal Year 2026.

“I signed SB24-230 to protect our clean air and increase transportation options for Coloradans, and now Coloradans are seeing the benefits,” the governor said. “Coloradans want more transportation options that get us where we want to go, saving time and money, while reducing traffic and pollution. Thanks to this important law, Coloradans along busy bus routes will see increased service.”

The agreement signals an expanded partnership between the state and RTD. In a move to directly support RTD’s June 7, 2026, service changes, CTE and CDOT expedited the execution of this grant at RTD’s request. This rapid turnaround underscores a shared commitment to addressing RTD’s current fiscal challenges by providing immediate, tangible financial support to Colorado’s transportation system.

“Providing public transit services is more costly per revenue mile than it ever has been, and that fact is not unique to RTD,” said RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “The agency recognizes the limits that are inherent in its existing funding sources, and I am appreciative of the continued collaboration with the state that has brought us to this point. Collaborations like these will only be more important as RTD partners with the communities it serves to provide the services that customers need.”

CDOT Executive Director and CTE Board Member Shoshana Lew said the agreement was a testament to agencies cooperating across different levels of government.

“We know that frequency and reliability are critically important factors when people choose how to get to where they need to go,” Lew said. “Investing in transit running more often can help riders have more choices as they navigate their lives, and can make transit a viable option for more Coloradans.”

By law, the SB24-230 funding is dedicated to the expansion and restoration of transit services. RTD has identified several high-priority areas where these funds will be immediately applied to increase frequency, launch new routes, and restore services that have been dormant for several years. Key service improvements funded by this grant include:

• Frequency Increases and Pattern Revisions: Routes 1E/44 (ART Shuttle), 37, LD3/287, the 16th Street FreeRide, and 21E.
• Service Extensions: Expansion of Route 19 to serve more destinations.
• Reinstatement of Service: Bringing back Routes 53 and 80 to restore vital neighborhood connections.
• New Regional Connectivity: A brand-new route connecting Longmont directly to Denver International Airport.
• High Volume Event Support: Dedicated resources for high-volume events in order to help manage congestion during major stadium and city events.

The SB24-230 Formula Program is a centerpiece of Colorado’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program is funded by revenues generated by the state’s Oil and Gas Production Fee, specifically designed to reinvest in sustainable transportation and rail infrastructure. Allocations for transit agencies across the state are determined by a data-driven formula that considers factors such as service area population, ridership levels, transit service statistics, and other local zoning policies that support transit-oriented development. In record time, CTE and CDOT worked collaboratively with RTD and the broader Colorado transit community to establish the program’s framework, ensuring funds could be deployed effectively and efficiently to support increased service levels.

“This is a great example of how our state and regional partners are working together to deliver results for Coloradans,” said Craig Seacrest, director of the Clean Transit Enterprise. “By collaborating on important infrastructure and transit projects, CTE and RTD are helping to improve multimodal access, reduce traffic, and help meet our state’s climate goals.”

This collaboration between CTE and RTD serves as a concrete example of Colorado’s strategic investment in the future of public transit. By working in tandem, CTE and RTD are not only addressing immediate service needs but also laying the groundwork for a more robust transportation network. CTE and RTD are poised to help maximize the impact of state resources and create a more integrated and accessible transit network for all Colorado residents and visitors.

About CTE

The Clean Transit Enterprise was established by the Colorado General Assembly in 2021 as part of Senate Bill 21-260 and gained expanded resources and responsibilities through the passage of Senate Bill 24-230. Housed within CDOT’s Office of Innovative Mobility, the CTE is tasked with supporting the efforts of public transit agencies to replace existing gas and diesel vehicles with electric or other zero-emission options and to support increased transit and rail services throughout the state. Through grants, loans, and rebates, the enterprise funds zero-emission vehicle planning, vehicle acquisition, and the specialized infrastructure and facility modifications necessary to support a zero-emission fleet, and provides funding for increased transit services, creation or improvement of multimodal facilities, and development of passenger rail.

About RTD

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) was created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly to develop, operate, and maintain a mass transportation system that now benefits more than 3.1 million people in the Denver metro area. The transportation agency is governed by a 15-member publicly elected Board of Directors and has a service area of 2,345 square miles. RTD provides transit services via 126 local and regional bus routes, six light rail lines, four commuter rail lines, and paratransit and demand-response mobility options.

About CDOT

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide the best multi-modal transportation system that most effectively and safely moves people, goods, and information. CDOT maintains more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,400 bridges, and 35 mountain passes. Our team of employees works tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. CDOT leverages partnerships with a range of private and public organizations and operates Bustang, an interregional express bus service. Find more details at codot.gov.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: 720.326.7311

Email: mediarequests@rtd-denver.com

Transit Police sharing images of two suspects from video footage for identification

DENVER, April 29, 2026 –The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is investigating a series of copper wire thefts along the G Line that caused service impacts last week, and RTD Transit Police is asking for the public’s help to identify two suspects captured on video. The most recent incident occurred on April 24 at 2:25 a.m., north of the Clear Creek•Federal Station in the 2400 block of West 65th Avenue. Another copper wire theft along the G Line occurred at 6:31 a.m. on April 23 at the Lowell Boulevard crossing that required the crossing gates to remain lowered. The first theft last week occurred at approximately 5:15 a.m. on April 21 near the Pecos Junction Station, where approximately 14 feet of copper wire was removed.

Investigation underway

RTD Transit Police Detective Bureau is sharing video images of the two suspects. Anyone who recognizes these individuals and/or their location may contact RTD Detective Jorge Villegas at Jorge.villegas@rtd-denver.com or by phone at 303.299.3183. Transit Police issued a bulletin to regional law enforcement agencies on the morning of April 24 for assistance in identifying the suspects.

Copper wire thefts are an industrywide challenge and not isolated to the Denver region. Many agencies that are impacted?by this activity?communicate with?one another to share best practices and strategies to deter incidents. To discourage thieves, agencies embed copper wire in railroad ties?or asphalt, install wooden covers, and grease the wires to make them less valuable. The demand for copper has created a market for thieves to target critical infrastructure around the world. In the U.S. and Canada, multiple transit agencies have also recently reported an increase in copper wire thefts, resulting in service disruptions.

Mitigating these crimes

In October 2025, RTD-PD established?its own detective bureau, enabling Transit Police to investigate and prosecute copper wire thefts, among other crimes. Detectives can?investigate these crimes across the entire service area spanning eight counties and 40 municipalities, whereas?a local partner agency may?not have the resources available to see the investigations through. RTD has an extensive network of cameras throughout its service area, and the agency’s video investigations team uses footage to identify suspects and vehicles.

RTD Transit Police has also engaged local resellers of copper wire to look out for copper wire resale and contact the agency. Because these crimes often occur opportunistically across a wide area, RTD is?constantly monitoring?and adjusting?tactics to address the issue.

Impacts

Whether copper wire thefts result?in service disruptions?depends on?the specific wires that are stolen. Typically,?wire theft can result in service delays and can cause a shutdown when overhead power is affected. In these instances, bus shuttles are implemented to ensure service is available for customers. The agency faces varying costs for labor and material replacement to restore service. Individual thefts range from several hundred to several thousand dollars in materials alone.

The agency warns thieves and would-be culprits that trespassing on RTD’s tracks is dangerous and deadly.?Trains can approach from any direction at any time and are unable to quickly stop?or slow down. Additionally, there is a real danger of serious injury or electrocution from exposing and handling the system’s copper wires.

Contacting Transit Police

Customers may report suspicious behaviors or unwanted activity 24/7 by contacting RTD Transit Police at 303.299.2911. Non-emergency security incidents may be reported using the Transit Police security form. In the event of an emergency, customers should always call 911.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From the Regional Transportation District:
1660 Blake Street
Denver, Colorado 80202

Phone: 720.326.7311

Email: mediarequests@rtd-denver.com

RTD to offer zero-fare rides and commemorate Rosa Parks for Transit Equity Day tomorrow

Customers can ride RTD services at no cost as the agency honors Parks’ legacy with systemwide seat signage recognizing transit equity

DENVER (Feb. 3, 2026) — The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will offer zero-fare service systemwide tomorrow, Feb. 4, temporarily removing fare costs for customers in observance of Transit Equity Day and honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Rosa Parks.

As part of this year’s observance, RTD will also install commemorative seat signage on buses systemwide to recognize Parks’ role in advancing transit equity and to reflect on the enduring importance of inclusion in public transportation. The signage is symbolic and intended to raise awareness of transit’s historic role in the Civil Rights Movement and its continued importance as a public good. The signage’s placement is tailored to each bus model and will not block access to seating.

Transit Equity Day is observed annually on Parks’ birthday in recognition of public transit as a civil right and a critical pathway to opportunity. On Dec. 1, 1955, Parks was arrested after refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, an act that helped galvanize the Civil Rights Movement and launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott and peaceful protests, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., lasted 381 days and led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in November 1956 deeming segregation on public buses unconstitutional.

Parks’ dignified refusal made her a symbol of the fight for civil rights, eventually earning Parks the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. Her courage continues to shape conversations about access, equality, and mobility in communities across the nation.

“Public transportation stands as a cornerstone of equity, connecting individuals to the resources and opportunities that shape their futures. Transit is more than infrastructure – it is a pathway to education, employment, health care, and community engagement that holds room for all,” said General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “RTD recognizes that mobility is fundamental to dignity and self-determination and removes barriers to access. All people deserve the freedom to pursue their aspirations, contribute to civic life, and navigate their communities with independence.”

RTD’s Board of Directors first authorized zero-fare service on Transit Equity Day on Dec. 3, 2024, as a permanent annual initiative, emphasizing the agency’s long-term commitment to advancing transit equity. The observance also aligns with national efforts led by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which first recognized Transit Equity Day in 2021.

On Feb. 4, customers are encouraged to ride RTD bus and rail, as well as FlexRide and Access-a-Ride services, at no cost throughout the day. Fare will also be waived for Access-on-Demand trips, though customers are responsible for any portion of a trip that exceeds the $20 per-trip subsidy.

For more information about Transit Equity Day and RTD services, visit rtd-denver.com.

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Hair whipping in the wind, the late morning sun obscured by the towering federal courthouse behind, and a smattering of news teams pointed their cameras and microphones. Before the media, holding placards above their head, were the plaintiffs in a newly filed federal lawsuit.

Friends, families, their attorneys and Colorado state representative Meg Froelich joined Dawn Russell, Dr. Claudia Folska, and representatives of Atlantis / ADAPT as they laid out their grievances plainly in the cold air.

Dr. Claudia Folska speaks during a press conference in front of the federal courthouse in Denver, Colorado on Monday, December 8, 2025. Dawn Russell, Dr. Claudia Folska, and representatives of Atlantis / ADAPT filed a federal lawsuit with law firm Newman | McNulty alleging that Colorado’s Regional Transportation District violated the American with Disabilities Act through recent budgeting restructuring and service options impacting the disabled community. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

After an introduction from civil rights attorney Andy McNulty of Newman | McNulty, fresh from lobbying the federal legislature in Washington, D.C., Dawn Russell rolled her wheelchair toward the makeshift c-stand lectern.

Institutionalized as a child following her diagnosis with cerebral palsy, she found an avenue for her voice and fiery commitment when she joined Atlantis / ADAPT in 1996. Living with a disability, she had a lifetime of experience having to advocate for herself. It was time to use that experience lifting everyone around her.

Through almost there decades with ADAPT she has seen success in preserving and protecting the Affordable Care Act and Medicare, access to transportation for all, is an active participant in the assisted suicide policy discussion, and is currently working toward housing equity fighting to pass the LaTonya Reeves Freedom Act.

“It’s been fifty years since the Gang of 19 fought for our right to ride public transportation,” Russell read unflinchingly, beginning her brief statement. “Yet, today ADAPT must again ask a court to make RTD honor it.”

ADAPT was founded in Denver in 1975 by disabled members of a nursing home community founding their own housing solution, Atlantis, with collaboration from Reverend Wade Blank.

The organization got their organizing start protesting for accessible public transit. The organization, and their infamous Gang of 19, set national precedent by winning a lawsuit against RTD requiring the addition of lifts and ramps to public transit vehicles.

“RTD lied,” Russell told the amassed press and their audience. “To you and to me. We should be outraged.”

Attorney Mari Newman speaks during a press conference in front of the federal courthouse in Denver, Colorado on Monday, December 8, 2025. Dawn Russell, Dr. Claudia Folska, and representatives of Atlantis / ADAPT filed a federal lawsuit with law firm Newman | McNulty alleging that Colorado’s Regional Transportation District violated the American with Disabilities Act through recent budgeting restructuring and service options impacting the disabled community. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

The Regional Transportation District, or RTD, made the decision to raise the costs and limit the access to a hard-won option for mobility in the disabled community: Access-on-Demand. The program allows qualifying users to call for rides from third party platforms for curb-to-curb transit, subsidized by RTD.

For those with few route options, the inability to drive to a park and ride, or who have to carry cumbersome equipment, the program allows for autonomy for the disabled with low barriers through proximity to transportation.

“What is she supposed to do, quit her fulltime job and just drive me around?” Dr. Folska asked rhetorically during her time at the microphone, standing next to her adult daughter.

A former RTD Director herself, Dr. Folska founded All Access Transit Solutions in 2020. Blind most of her life, she has worked as a nonprofit director and disability activist throughout her life.

“It causes me great pain and disappointment to see where RTD is today. Today, RTD is killing Access-on-Demand for thousands of people with disabilities when in fact it’s the best service they’ve ever had,” she said.

Taking effect January 2026, the Board of Directors voted in fall 2024 to lower the maximum amount they’d underwrite, increase fares for its use, and create a base fare for all users. RTD says that they are operating with an expected nearly $230M budget deficit for the new year and hope these cost increases for the disability community will alleviate some of that burden.

Dr. Claire Folska and Dawn Russell reflect together after announcing a federal lawsuit during a press conference in front of the federal courthouse in Denver, Colorado on Monday, December 8, 2025. Dawn Russell, Dr. Claudia Folska, and representatives of Atlantis / ADAPT filed a federal lawsuit with law firm Newman | McNulty alleging that Colorado’s Regional Transportation District violated the American with Disabilities Act through recent budgeting restructuring and service options impacting the disabled community. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

“We are outraged by the fact that RTD is treating the rights of people with disabilities as some sort of line item that can just be cut,” Mari Newman, who is representing the plaintiffs. “People have been working for half a century for these rights that they’re entitled to.”

Folska, Russell, and Atlantis/ADAPT say that these changes, and their impacts’ ripples, are in violation of the ADA. The lawsuit reads that disabled users will be “excluded from participation in and deny the benefits of services, programs, or activities provided by RTD,” including equitable access to transportation, in violation of Title II of the ADA. The filing asserts that RTD is denying those with disabilities service, while providing greater access for Coloradans without disabilities.

“To the hundreds of folks who rely on Access-on-Demand for their freedom and independence – you showed-up and spoke-up for two years of RTD Board Committee meetings, and we thank you,” Russell said during her speech. “Let’s make RTD relevant for everyone.

Filed with motions for a preliminary injunction and to have the hearing expedited, the attorneys for Newman | McNulty hope to be able to prevent any interruption to existing service by delaying immediate implementation.

“Getting a federal lawsuit together in about a month is a tough thing to do and that’s what we did here,” McNulty said, answering a question after prepared statements concluded. “We’re looking to stop the wrong and unlawful cuts to RTD services.”

The ones who dared to fight City Hall.

 When Boulder denied public access to police body-cam footage, we took it to court. Our fight for transparency is now before the Colorado Supreme Court — because accountability doesn’t stop at the city line.

Through December 31, every gift to Yellow Scene will be matched — dollar for dollar — through the Colorado Media Project’s Matching Grant.Give & Get Democracy this Holiday Season. Your $8 recurring monthly support not only gets you YS delivered to your house, but it’s matched for the entire year, bringing that $8/month to $192.

Because Independent journalism isn’t just about telling stories. It’s about protecting your right to know, holding power accountable, and keeping democracy in the light. This is #newsCOneeds Becoming a sustaining supporter today for $8 a month!

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Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Community members encouraged to ride transit more to reduce harmful air pollutants

BOULDER, Colo. –  The City of Boulder is proudly partnering with the Regional Transportation District (RTD) to provide zero-fare services to encourage community members to travel by transit for cleaner air. RTD’s “Zero Fare for Better Air,” a statewide initiative to help reduce harmful air pollutants by increasing use of transit, takes place July 1 through Aug. 31.

During the months of July and August, all RTD transit services will be free for riders to board, including local and regional bus routes and Access-a-Ride paratransit service. The City of Boulder, in partnership with RTD and Via Mobility Services, will also provide zero-fare services on the local Boulder HOP bus route that features frequent service between downtown’s Pearl Street, Downtown Boulder Station, University Hill, University of Colorado Boulder, and the 29th Street Mall.

HOP Route Map

“We are once again proud to partner with RTD and Via to support this initiative,” said City of Boulder Transportation and Mobility Director, Natalie Stiffler. “Regional collaboration and public transit are key strategies to help meet our goals of enhancing equity, increasing access, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Last year, Boulder City Council passed a resolution in support of Zero Fare for Better Air. The initiative clearly aligns with goals laid out in the city’s Transportation Master Plan. Funding for zero fare is made possible through a partnership with the Colorado Energy Office for the second consecutive year of the initiative. This campaign also provides the opportunity to welcome back those whose travel habits have changed because of the pandemic.

In 2021, on-road emissions accounted for 26% of Boulder’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). By leaving their car at home just two days a week, community members can reduce their GHG emissions by over 3,000 pounds per year.

Other benefits to taking transit include:

• Cost savings 
  Taking the bus and train saves on car expenses including maintenance, parking and tolls, which add up quickly. A household can save nearly $10,000 by taking public transportation and living with one less car.
• Gas savings
  With high gas prices, switching to public transit frees up additional funds in community members’ everyday budgets. Public transportation saves the United States an estimated six billion gallons of gas each year!
• Reduction in traffic
  Taking public transit keeps cars off the road, reducing traffic congestion, air pollution and ground-level ozone.
• Reduction in stress
  Taking public transit removes the stress and anxiety of battling everyday traffic.
• Time savings 
  While taking public transit, community members can catch up on reading, emails, podcasts, or just sit back and relax.
• Improved air quality and climate action
  Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to our changing climate. Using public transit creates 85% less carbon emissions than driving a car. That is a savings of 63 million metric tons annually, nationwide.

To learn how to hop on board to participate in Zero Fare for Better Air, visit rtd-denver.com/zerofare.com. Find HOP bus service and frequencies at https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/hop-bus. More tips about how to use less gas can be found at https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/how-use-less-gas.

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Car-centric models of development create urban sprawl and make planning bus routes to low density areas more difficult.

Riding the JUMP

Cities across the United States are dealing with pressure to offer more public transit services. The Denver metro area is no exception to this. The Front Range has grown at an unprecedented rate over the last 20 years causing traffic to become much worse. Freeways like Interstate 25 are parking lots during rush hour.

Climate change is another reason to provide alternative modes of transportation. According to the Colorado GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap Final Report, transportation is the largest producer of greenhouse gas pollution across the state. The report states, “Nearly 60% of these emissions come from light-duty vehicles — the majority of cars and trucks that Coloradans drive every day.” The state of Colorado sees our need to convert from combustion engines to electric alternatives, creating goals in the fight against climate change. With such a climate-focused population, Coloradoans need to demand more solutions to our car-centric model of transportation.

Despite Colorado’s attempt to race further and further ahead to meet these goals, consistent public transportation for Boulder County and North Metro is severely lacking. For instance, the town of Erie, located about 15 miles southeast of Boulder, contains a single bus route — the JUMP.

The JUMP starts out at the Downtown Boulder Station on Walnut Street and takes a trip down Arapahoe Avenue traveling east toward Erie. After arriving, the bus heads to the main stop at the Erie Community Center before turning around and heading southwest to Lafayette, and then back to the Downtown Boulder Station. There are limited options to get to neighboring communities like Lafayette and Longmont, and there are no connections to go east to communities like Thornton or Brighton.

To travel east of Erie you would need to take the JUMP to Boulder. In Boulder you’d hop onto one of the Flatiron Flyers to head down Highway 36 and then finally take a bus east to Thornton. This makes a car the much faster option to travel anywhere east of the city despite the rapid population growth and traffic congestion we’ve seen in these communities.

Despite Colorado’s attempt to race further and further ahead to meet these goals, consistent public transportation for Boulder County and North Metro is severely lacking.

Unfortunately, there are no signs to indicate a push for an increase in ridership from these already limited stops. When I visited the bus stop at the Erie Community Center, it was barren. Surrounded by a beautiful library, recreation center, and park with fields, the bus stop showed little indication of its potential use.

There was no structure to protect riders from the elements. The facility’s map didn’t have any indication of a bus stop. There wasn’t even a schedule to see when the next bus was going to arrive. Not to mention, there was no indication where the JUMP goes. Without any of these, each step of taking the bus would require extensive research beforehand to make any trip as smooth as possible.

The average rider would need to have the time to explore the different options before coming to the bus stop. This would need to account for all the time researching, getting to, and riding the bus. The economic component of taking public transit bleeds into this as well, meaning, “What type of ticket is best for me? Is there a stop close enough to ride my bike or walk? If I have a car, is there a spot for me to park near the station? Do I have enough money to travel where I need to today?” There is the assumption that with most of these questions, the user has access to the internet reliably. It also assumes, this person is able to walk, ride, or use a car.

RTD’s role in Boulder

The Regional Transportation District has been providing public transportation services to the Denver metro area for 54 years through a series of bus and rail routes. The district serves the communities of eight Colorado counties including Boulder County.

Boulder is the most populous city in the county with over 100,000 residents, and the city contains Colorado’s flagship university campus with an undergraduate population of 30,000 students — causing a massive influx of residents for nine months out of the year.

The city’s public transportation system is more robust than many metro areas with buses to connect you to every major part of the city. Popular destinations like Pearl Street, surrounding downtown areas, and the university’s campus are easily accessible from multiple routes. CU Boulder even has their own transportation system offering an Uber-like option around campus as well as their own buses.

Flatiron Flyer regional buses connect Boulder to the rest of Denver Metro including Denver’s Union Station, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, and Denver International Airport. Yet, the county’s remaining municipalities — Erie, Lafayette, Superior and Longmont — do not have robust transportation systems in place.

Manager of corridor operations, Doug Monroe, assured there were programs in place to incentivize more ridership with two main ways to go about it — financial incentives and services provided.

RTD’s EcoPass program, employer passes, and college passes offer rides at a huge discount. Other financial incentives Monroe pointed to include RTD’s monthly pass options.

However, the real incentives lie in RTD’s service. Monroe notes, “I think that’s more difficult to quantify and, I guess, tell how that’s actually impacting things because we serve a huge area. We serve 2,340 square miles, and we’re collecting sales taxes on that whole area, and we’re trying to provide as much service to as many people within that area as possible.”

He explained that based on the feedback given to RTD, people overlook the financial aspects of the process, focusing instead on an increase in the number of services offered.

Expanding service

Unfortunately, simply providing an all-encompassing service is not an option due to the organization’s own financial constraints for projects, workforce, and land use.

RTD was able to provide details of the district’s choices on planning the routes for these areas. Nataly Handlos is senior service planner and scheduler for RTD on the North Team. Handlos works closely with service planner Greg Filkin. Together these two outlined some of the barriers RTD faces when planning service routes. The sheer sprawl of the communities in the northern corridor makes public transportation planning more difficult.

Unfortunately, simply providing an all-encompassing service is not an option due to the organization’s own financial constraints for projects, workforce, and land use.

Public transit is mostly designed for high-density areas. Consequently, the low-density suburban housing of the northern service area makes it difficult for RTD to create routes. Additionally, there are no attractions within Erie’s town limits that would constitute the creation of a robust public transit system.

Handlos states, “They are a suburban community, right? They don’t have a downtown. They don’t have a destination per se. You have to have an origin and destination in order to establish a strong transit corridor, and they do not have that. To build out a full transit network — such as in Boulder — would not make sense for Erie, or even Louisville and Lafayette.”

Cities in the northern corridor build out without little regard for the transit system and expect RTD to provide services without building the infrastructure that can accommodate routes.

The premise of this logic makes sense and has recently been echoed by state officials like Governor Polis. Building high-density housing is just one way to build stronger transit systems, but the main resource making these systems successful are the people who need them regardless of the type of housing in a given area.

As a service for people, the main priority should not be on how these systems can make money. Instead they need to focus on the real world wants and needs of people. Greater access to bus routes provide more opportunity for people in need. More employment opportunities would present themselves to people without their own cars; you could live in one area and reliably work in another with expanded bus access.

Planning new routes can be lengthy, and decisions are based on the resources RTD has at hand. Municipalities will typically come to RTD asking the organization to look at its proposals. Once the proposals are modified, there is a public process where a service change is put forth.

The service change process at RTD takes shape three times a year — January, May, and August. These proposals are brought to the public for feedback which is then used by RTD to look into financial impacts on the area, resources, and equity of service.

Planning new routes can be lengthy, and decisions are based on the resources RTD has at hand.

Handlos asserts, “What is equitably compared to the rest of the street? So, we can’t just add service in one area and not add service in the other areas. So if something were to be added in the Boulder area, I’d have to look to my partners in the East and West Team[s], ‘Hey, do you have anything that you can add?’”

The approach allows for the deep, meaningful work attributed to providing services to people disenfranchised through systemic factors of racism and ableism, but the method takes years of planning — delaying needed services. New routes cannot be adopted at this rate to fix any issues caused by our car-centric society. Once the proposal has made it past this stage of scrutiny, it makes its way to a board who votes for or against the service change. Although, this is all determined in the end by RTD’s available resources.

Bus drivers wanted

RTD has been dealing with an operator shortage since 2015. The shortage was only made worse by COVID-19. Even if a service change has all other resources, there is a lack of sufficient staffing to make new routes or provide route extensions.

Currently, RTD is using a guide known as the System Optimization Plan to strategize its service implementation through 2027 and projects it will have 85% of pre-COVID resources by 2027. Using this projection, the district is making preemptive moves to allocate and implement new services throughout the remaining period. This plan does rely on a bit of optimism. These are merely projections and would expect patrons to wait out the rest of the decade for the possibility of new services.

One of the more notable efforts is the CO 119 BRT project to add faster and safer services for commuters between Longmont and Boulder. The project looks to include proposals for new transit stops between the two cities as well as a new Park-n-Ride station and a commuter bikeway.

Additionally, Monroe points to the Northwest Rail Peak Service Study being undertaken by RTD to provide rail extensions to the north Denver metro area including Boulder and Longmont. Proposed service would extend the existing commuter rail service B Line from Union Station using existing BNSF rail lines. The project works as a commitment to the voter-approved FasTracks plan of 2004, which has been struggling with financial funding for the last 19 years. Projects like the Northwest Rail Peak Service Study, however,’ will not put trains on tracks. The study has three main goals: providing updated engineering cost estimates, designing infrastructure for the system to include future sprawl, and aligning RTD with the goals of stakeholders in the project but with no set date to start service.

There have already been success stories. Route 228 had a successful reconfiguration to serve the city of Lafayette in a more effective and equitable manner. Handlos added, “With Lafayette, the 228 extension was one of those, ‘How can we try and serve that area better?’ to route connection that was needed between the low-income housing and Kestrel and you know, Walmart and Sister Carmen for instance. We were able to get it into the SOP to get route extensions for the DASH and the 225 to the new low-income housing that’s being built at 120th and Emma.”

It is important to include the extension of these routes so people in lower income areas can access transportation and continue to advocate for themselves. Previous to the 228 extension, existing routes did not extend to Lafayette’s low income communities. This created a lack of accessibility. Time is another finite resource needed to get from A to B, to attend a meeting, or develop a sense of community  — time that could be used as a means to pay for food or bills.

Projects will be carried out when the resources to make, operate, and support new transit are available: There needs to be operators. The land being used must be zoned properly. The money to build and sustain this infrastructure must be at RTD’s disposal. There must be a push from members of the public.

Conversely, potential passengers may be deterred from taking the bus because of its price. Even with financial incentives provided by the RTD, commuting can be a pricey affair. A local day pass gives you access to travel within one or two fare zones and costs $6 or $42 per week. A regional day pass is $10.50 or $73.50 a week.

Though the monthly passes are considerably cheaper, it could still be difficult to purchase one living paycheck to paycheck. A local monthly pass comes in at $114, and the monthly regional pass is $200 at full price.

Other perks, like the college pass, leave students who are full-time during the academic year  without a pass if they remain during the summer months. Even business passes can be distributed based on your hourly status at work. Part-time employees often receive fewer  benefits and may not meet their organization’s eligibility requirements for passes.

After its recent launch of an extensive fare study, RTD appears to be aware of these barriers to increasing ridership, marking community involvement as a priority when dealing with issues. While recommendations that came out of the study are slated to become a reality in 2024, Handlos, Filkin, and Monroe stated multiple times that getting opinions from the public is a priority in the implementation of any services.

Getting involved might be one of the best ways to advocate for better service in your area. Riders have the ability to carry weight in a conversation that involves stakeholders and local governments. Time and resources can make it difficult to get involved in this capacity, but RTD has embraced transparency in this process.

Riders have the ability to carry weight in a conversation that involves stakeholders and local governments.

Each of the projects mentioned above can be accessed on their website with goals and outcomes or expected outcomes. These pages include the status of a project, the background information to understand the intent of a project, and potential timelines for service implementation.

Finding projects and routes within your area could prove to be a difficult task. The district covers a vast network spanning over 2,000 square miles, but the Community Involvement page could make this task easier.

There are multiple options to engage with RTD on the page. A calendar provides dates, times, and locations when the organization plans to interact with the public. Many modes of communication exist on the page from an online Customer Comment Form to contacting your representative on the RTD Board of Directors. Resources to stay informed and information on RTD making an appearance or presentation at an event also exist on this page.

Commuters on the Front Range deserve better transit services across the expanding metro area. RTD strives to provide these services for the people, but in an area that’s years behind in dealing with pressing issues, are its efforts, even after creating an SOP extending into 2027, enough?

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