RTD eyes bus, light-rail cuts
By Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 09:00 p.m., May 19, 2008
Updated 09:21 a.m., May 20, 2008
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RTD is proposing $4.1 million in reductions to bus and light-rail service in August in response to skyrocketing fuel costs and budget problems.
The proposal cuts some of the lowest-performing routes.
It includes elimination of the G Line light-rail service between Aurora's Nine Mile park-n-Ride and Lincoln Station in Douglas County, a service that never attracted significant numbers of riders since it opened with the T-REX project in 2006. RTD said last week it is facing up to a $24 million shortfall caused by the transit agency's diesel fuel costs going up $6 million this year and its sales tax collections projected to be down $18 million.
Among the other services that would be lost as of Aug. 17 are the skyRide buses to Denver International Airport from the Littleton Mineral and C-470/University park-n-Ride lots, the Route U regional bus between Pine Junction and the Denver Tech Center, the western leg of the Route 35 Hampden Crosstown between Englewood and Jefferson County's Wadsworth/Hampden park-n-Ride, and call-n-Ride shuttles in Parker and Highlands Ranch.
RTD will hold 10 public hearings around the district in early June to gauge rider reaction.
RTD adjusts its schedules three times a year, in January, May and August. The cost savings are for a 12-month period.
The changes are based on minimum standards RTD sets for each route's number of passengers per trip and per hour.
The trimming of Route AT, the skyRide trips to DIA, means the buses will start their runs at Arapahoe Center park-n-Ride, at Interstate 25, instead of in Littleton. Eliminating that leg of the trip will save RTD $660,000.
The Route 35 reduction affects an average of 295 riders a day on 70 trips, and saves $330,000.
Route 727, which circulates through the Denver Tech Center every 15 minutes during rush hours to take riders between the Belleview and Arapahoe light-rail stations, would become part of Route 27 and be reduced to every 30 minutes.
flynnk@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5247
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May 20, 2008
12:51 a.m.
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jacka writes:
The dance to more taxes to feed the Monster RTD begins. Lets watch the compromisers line up to help them take peoples land/businesses and evade TABOR to lever their private RTD developer financing.
May 20, 2008
6:46 a.m.
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Gene writes:
It is difficult to compete against the greatest mass-transit system ever invented; the free-roving automobile.
May 20, 2008
6:59 a.m.
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RememberThis writes:
Fares will be going up again soon.........
May 20, 2008
7:16 a.m.
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warrengfunk7 writes:
No offense, but trimming a little fat is exactly what government run agencies need to do more of! I applaud RTD on yet another great move! No need to be spending $330,000 a year, so 295 riders a day can have a transfer-less commute. They will still be able to take a regular bus to the nest transfer station, to get on the express buses.
This is not a bad move at all.
May 20, 2008
7:37 a.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
I agree, not a bad move.
May 20, 2008
8:37 a.m.
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Froward69 writes:
Seems the RTD free ride is over. with less revenue from auto taxes RTD will actually have to be a mass transportation company. Deriving operational revenue from ridership.
May 20, 2008
9:41 a.m.
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ParkHillPosse writes:
The suburbs are dead. Get rid of your SUV and ranch-style house.
May 20, 2008
9:46 a.m.
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brandonn writes:
The money that built all those billions of miles of roads that we drive on came from taxes as well. I hope you're not under the impression that gas taxes alone pay for all that? Most roads are built by municipalities, that derive most of their income from sales tax. Even CDOT isn't funded entirely by gas taxes. Evading TABOR? CDOT got $535M from referendum C. Even with all the additional cash that goes to roads, they are still heavily underfunded and we are looking at serious future problems with bridges and roads. Cars and drivers do not pay for themselves.
Jumping all over RTD seems to be the in thing to do right now. Over budget because of the enormous rise of construction costs, damn RTD. Trying to trim the budget and cut some under performing routes, damn RTD. I really love it when people complain about escalating fastracks costs and what RTD is offering for land in the same breath. There are many things RTD could do better, but we can be realistic and not bitch about everything.
May 20, 2008
9:56 a.m.
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rushrulesbaby writes:
Grab your wallets folks cause this monster you created is going to drain more and more and give you less and less! That's what governement does best!!! Its too bad you supporters didn't realize this when you voted for this beast! Oh well, I guess I can only say: "Itold you so!" :)
May 20, 2008
9:58 a.m.
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rushrulesbaby writes:
ps: RTD= Round Trip Dilemna
May 20, 2008
10:02 a.m.
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gwats writes:
This also might be the time to institute a realistic fare policy with some teeth in it. You don't pay.... you don't ride. Quit giving a away free rides and charge a realistic price for the service, just like the real cities do.
May 20, 2008
10:07 a.m.
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Acemon writes:
If the bus is so convenient, so easy, so fun, so much cheaper than downtown parking, then let the yuppies pay a little more and quit forcing the rest of us taxpayers to subsidize it. Give discounts to those who truly deserve it (seniors, the poor, and students), but the Starbucks crowd should pay their own way. Raise The Fares!
May 20, 2008
10:17 a.m.
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RickyLee writes:
RTD=Run Them Down
May 20, 2008
10:19 a.m.
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Awal writes:
Great idea Acemon. Let's have everyone show their W-2s prior to getting on the bus so we can tax them appropriately.
The senior citizen/student fare is already $0.85 versus $1.75 full fare. One thing that always pizzes me off is seniors and the AARP acting like all people older than 65 deserve a break on everything they pay--despite the fact that many of them have more in the bank than middle age working families. If you want the "Starbucks yuppies" to pay more, then the seniors with the million dollar pensions are going to have to dig deeper also.
May 20, 2008
10:23 a.m.
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Scott writes:
The only thing that RTD is good for is if you are going into or out of downtown Denver. My eldest has a job in the Tech Center and it took here 1 1/2 hours to get from the Thornton Park & Ride to the Tech Center! An this was using the 120X bus and the trolley car!
It appears that RTD feels that ALL roads should lead to Rome (downtown Denver).
Scott
May 20, 2008
10:45 a.m.
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Buff4Life writes:
I'm all for paying more in RTD fares just as soon as I quit paying for roads.
May 20, 2008
10:47 a.m.
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jamesdenver writes:
One sign of a successful metropolitan area is good transportation. Period. Cities are known, judged, and partly defined by it. Denver is doing the right thing setting itself ahead of sprawling swaths like Houston and Phoenix by providing a logical transit plan for the future - and we shouldn't cut back on it now.
I drive, bike, and use RTD depending on my needs - and I choose to live in a neighborhood where I can walk to places too. People that isolate themselves in the suburbs should realize the beauty and functionality of this city is dependent on them too.
If they don't like it they can find an identical house and cul-de-sac in Texas for a lower price with lower taxes.
james http://www.futuregringo.com
May 20, 2008
10:54 a.m.
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Ztliano writes:
RTD stinks. I would never take the bus, it's too much of a hassle.
May 20, 2008
10:55 a.m.
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AnarchoCapitalist writes:
The only rational way to allocate resources is to allow goods and services to compete with one another. RTD is yet another mammoth waste of resources because it exists without the pressure of satisfying consumers. Let consumers decide whether or not something is worth their hard earned dollars. RTD has life because it lives off thieved money.
May 20, 2008
10:58 a.m.
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jamesdenver writes:
re: Scott.
I took RTD from the airport to the tech center this morning. Far from downtown. Using route AT and catching the train at 9 Miles (G line I might add.) I got to work in about an hour.
I also take the bus down University to DU Station and catch the train at DU Station which gets me from home to the tech center in 40-45 minutes. That's not central downtown either, but on heavy traffic days I would never drive it. Sure I could have driven in 40 minutes, but I also saved $50 in parking for 5 days at DIA by leaving my car at work.
Your "eldest" would travel through downtown anyway on his route - so a transfer point there isn't that illogical. Also what "trolley car" are you talking about - the mall shuttle? The 120X connects right next to the light rail station so he can step off one and on to the other.
I wish the bus ran more frequently on some routes too - BUT I also think some that moan about excessive time en route or waiting haven't researched their routes or timed out their transfers very efficiently - which leads to a "I'll never ride the bus cuz its too slow" experience by a lot of newbies who've never read a rail or any type of transit schedule before.
james http://www.futuregringo.com
May 20, 2008
11:12 a.m.
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jamesdenver writes:
re: RTD has life because it lives off thieved money.
By that logic so do police and fire departments.
May 20, 2008
11:13 a.m.
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schmoolhead2 writes:
Bottom line: we need RTD the most when gas sky rockets and the economy goes sour. The way we fund public transportation should be rethought. Instead of a sales tax, maybe a gas tax proportional to the price might be the way to go. That way, RTD can always keep up with rising fuel prices.
May 20, 2008
11:25 a.m.
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nimbusco writes:
While RTD is having budget issues, this reduction in service is just part of their normal review of schedules. Linking it to the current budget problems is a bit of a stretch, I think. Any line that doesn't get sufficient ridership is cut, no matter what the budget situation.
Another article I read recently indicated that one source of the budget problem is increased use of products like the EcoPass. People are using their EcoPasses more than they used to. Since EcoPass holders get unlimited rides on all RTD routes (including light rail), RTD doesn't get any additional revenue from those additional rides. To me, this says that the EcoPass (which is paid for by employers for their employees) is underpriced.
May 20, 2008
11:56 a.m.
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benn writes:
i use my ecopass all the time
May 20, 2008
12:21 p.m.
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cobanobs writes:
Let me see if I understand this correctly. RTD proposes to cut what they consider to be under performing routes. At the same time they are operating unnecessary routes that compete against the service provided by their Light Rail. An example of this is the "P" route from Parker to Denver. In 1994, when RTD opened the first Light Rail segment, most Express and Regional routes then truncated at I-25/Broadway Station. Passengers were forced to transfer to either Light Rail or bus to continue their trip to downtown Denver. The passengers on the route "P" complained and petitioned to RTD, and their bus route to downtown was reinstated. When RTD opened the SouthEast Corridor in November 2006 the "P" route along with many other Regional and Express routes was eliminated. Former route "P" passengers took a "feeder" bus to Lincoln Station and transferred to Light Rail to continue downtown. These passengers then complained to RTD and their bus was route was reinstated again. Perhaps RTD needs to rethink the logic of cutting some routes which would leave no service for some of it's passengers while they offer alternative choices to others. How much money is it costing the taxpayers for this alternative service?
May 20, 2008
12:40 p.m.
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ATLBorn79 writes:
It's quite funny reading all the b*tching and moaning about RTD, when in actuality it's one of the best big city transit systems in the country.
Earlier this month about 100 Atlanta city leaders made their annual "LINK" trip to another city to compare growth/development issues/solutions. This year, they chose Denver.
The leaders all gushed over how good we have it compared with poorly run, mismanaged MARTA back home.
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shar...
We truly are blessed with a fantastic public transportation system; most cities (except NY, Chicago, etc.) would LOVE to have what we have.
May 20, 2008
12:55 p.m.
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CalebTGL writes:
I <3 RTD!
May 20, 2008
1:06 p.m.
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cheech writes:
RTD has been great for me. I commute from Parker to the Auraria campus and if I drove that 5 days a week I would have to fill up my auto about twice a week at about 45 dollars a pop. I pay 42 a month out of my paycheck for my eco-pass and I can ride RTD anywhere it goes. It takes me just about the same amount of time to get to work as if I drove and when there are traffic jams I fly by on the light rail looking at frustrated drivers who are stuck. It has helped my marriage as well because I get home less stressed than if I had to drive and deal with all the crazy drivers on the road.
May 20, 2008
1:17 p.m.
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WhadUsay writes:
I wouldn't give up my ecopass for anything - not even a free parking space. I find taking the bus and light rail a convenient way to travel even if it takes a bit longer sometimes. The cost of the medical treatments I'd need from an exploding blood vessel if I drove into Denver are reason enough to keep riding. I can't wait for the commuter rail to finally get done so I can hop on the train and not even bother with the bus!
But, that being said, when fuel prices rise - that's when we need the mass transit more, not less. Our buses from Boulder/Louisville are more crowded than ever.
May 20, 2008
1:23 p.m.
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PajamaPulitzer writes:
Drill in ANWAR.
May 20, 2008
1:26 p.m.
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prk166 writes:
James---> I'm quite used to taking transit. Yes, sometimes it's an issue of timing. But being experienced with transit as you seem to be, you know damn well you can't time things well with it. Leave a minute late to walk to the bus stop and you miss your bus. Or you catch the bus that should get you to market street a couple minute before your transfer but.... oh, guess it didn't get there in time. Sometimes when you transfer things go smoothly; the transfer maybe costs you a 5 minutes. But for every 5 minute transfer, there's a 15 minute one. It's not just about planning; it's about reality.
"No need to be spending $330,000 a year, so 295 riders a day can have a transfer-less commute. "
I agree. So when is RTD going to step to the plate and propose saving the taxpayers 1/3 of a billion dollars and axe the Boulder-Longmont heavy rail line that's part of Fastracks. It's only going to carry a couple thousand riders a day. I doubt they will do it right away just like the G line. There was never any reason to open that line based on ridership projections going into it. But transit being the realm of politics and not reason, they did. No surprise to see them a year and half later dropping the route.
May 20, 2008
1:29 p.m.
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prk166 writes:
"One sign of a successful metropolitan area is good transportation. Period. Cities are known, judged, and partly defined by it. Denver is doing the right thing setting itself ahead of sprawling swaths like Houston and Phoenix by providing a logical transit plan for the future - and we shouldn't cut back on it now."
I think what you meant to say is the way YOU judge a successful metropolitan area is by what you consider to be good transportation. Phoenix and Houston are very successful in many ways. In fact, I would argue that some metropolitan areas with this "good transportation" like Buffalo and Pittsburgh have been very unsuccessful.
May 20, 2008
2:29 p.m.
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TC writes:
Drill in ANWAR. Not because it will produce any significant impact on gasoline suppy. But because W says it's a good idea and he was elected by Jesus and so by God I agree with everything he says without question. Plus it will piss of those sissy environmentalists. What kind of person believes that maybe you should try to preserve some amount of wilderness for the next generation, when we need all the oil we can get right now for our F350s that make us feel like we have a bigger penis!
May 20, 2008
2:54 p.m.
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AC writes:
Pajama, TC: Do you mean "ANWR" as in Arctic National Wildlife Reserve?" If you want to drill there, at least learnb its name.
May 20, 2008
3:10 p.m.
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TC writes:
AC: (Yeah, I know - I learnd that)
May 20, 2008
3:15 p.m.
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jamesdenver writes:
Ding Ding... Sarcasm alert there AC.
May 20, 2008
3:33 p.m.
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AC writes:
Ding Ding... learn the difference between a typo and plain ignorance.
May 20, 2008
3:44 p.m.
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Bagel writes:
They're taking issue that you included TC in your response, being that he copied a quote, and mocked it heavily.
May 20, 2008
4:39 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
Typical boondoggle..... record high ridership = need to cut because its not economical.
Of course, the same people who claim that "mass transit" is the solution to transportation problems will ignore this news as they try to sell other "mass transit" boondoggle failures to come..... such as the same flawed system for people to use going to the mountains to deal with I-70 congestion, etc.
May 20, 2008
5:08 p.m.
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Scott writes:
jamesdenver,
I refer to lightrail as "trolley car". My eldest rode the bus for four years while she attended college downtown, hence she is quite familiar with RTD, specifically the 120X. The 1.5 hour trip time was 120X from Thornton P&R to Union Station where she picked up light rail (trolley car) to the Belleview light rail stop. Then a 1 mile walk to her place of employment.
I just used RTD's Trip Planner and got a 54 minute route time. So my eldest's total time of 1.5 hours is consistent when you include driving 2 miles to the P&R and the 1.5 mile walk from the trolley car to her place of employment.
Scott
May 21, 2008
12:36 a.m.
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farsidefan writes:
I remember the woman who complained because she lived in Boulder and it took her sooo looong to get to her in job at the Tech Center. Solution: Move nearer your job, get a job closer to home.
Why such a dust up here ? Why not privatize RTD ? Then when they cut routes like Frontier did recently you can all say " Capitalism at work." "The failing economy is to blame."
I agree that if you are on a tight time schedule RTD is not your best option. I guess if we want more timely service that would mean more buses,drivers,mechanics, etc.
I doubt if that is free.
May 26, 2008
2:19 p.m.
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jaydog writes:
Acemon keep your negative comments to yourself. Yuppies and Starbucks crowd? Please!
May 29, 2008
5:36 p.m.
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Houstongolfnut writes:
Passing out vouchers for cab fare would, in most cases, be cheaper than RTD.