News

Rebecca Troyer of the Denver Business Journal has posted an article about the issues faced by RTD, with a couple interesting suggestions.

Proximity to transit has influenced tech companies, professional offices and even major headquarters that are flocking to Lower Downtown, the Central Business District and the Denver Tech Center.

Development projects tied to transit have popped up across the metro, as clusters of office, retail and residential projects — think South Broadway, River North, Lone Tree and Pena Station Next — seek the convenience of rail access. The Regional Transportation District’s free shuttle along the 16th Street Mall moves thousands of tourists, shoppers and workers daily, as does the free MetroRide, which operates during peak commute hours.

Yet despite its important role in the economic growth of the region, RTD has been plagued with budget problems and staffing challenges arising out of high driver turnover. These headaches have resulted in numerous delays and no-shows, causing inconvenience and annoyance to riders. Employers may have noticed employees arriving to work later, sharing water-cooler grumbles about crowds at bus and train stops, and dealing with parking challenges as their vehicles once again become more attractive than standing at a freezing transit station.

. . . As important as a healthy, well-run transit system is to Denver, we can’t afford to see such a valuable asset diminished. The business community has a strong collective voice; now’s the time to use it.

You can read the full article here.