Lakewood's First Transit Oriented Housing

Lamar Station Crossing Open House

Friday,  January 10 from 3 to 5 pm

6150 W. 13th Avenue

Lakewood

Light Rail: W, east of Lamar Station

Also within walking distance of the 9.

This is the first official transit oriented housing development in Lakewood.

Now New Mexico is looking for comments on their rail plan

New Mexico is developing a state rail plan, and train riders there are concerned that they are being ignored. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is saying that there is no demand for rail in New Mexico even though more than a million people rode the Rail Runner and the Southwest Chief is often full. We need to make our support for the Southwest Chief and the Rail Runner clear. Please send an email to Rail.Plan@state.nm.us before January 3, 2014.

You do not need to be a resident of New Mexico, you just need to ride the trains there.

You can read New Mexico's Rail Plan (PDF) online, but it is kind of a mess.

Public Meeting on the 15L

Route 15L Transit Priority Study
Wednesday, December 11, 6:30-7:30
RTD Administrative Offices, Basement
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: 0, 10, 28, 32, 44, 120X, AF, B, L

RTD, the City and County of Denver, and the Colorado Department of Transportation together paid for a study of improvements to the route 15L. This is our opportunity to discover what they found.

Yes, this is the same time as the Citizen Advisory Committee. Theoretically, this is an open house so people don't have to come on time or stay for the whole thing. Director Natalie Menten has told me that she is going to go to this and then the CAC.

Ask Governors to Save the Southwest Chief

A citizen from Illinois has started a petition to maintain the Southwest Chief on its current route through Colorado, New Mexico, and Illinois. If the train is moved, Colorado will lose one of its two remaining interstate railways. Train riders would lose a connection to the Rail Runner in New Mexico along with connections to New Mexico's most visited cites.

Colorado is particular is behind other states in its support for both passenger and freight rail. Kansas is better about freight, we just need to get that support extended to passenger rail. New Mexico is sometimes good, sometimes bad in its support for rail.

How much would it cost to Colorado to save the Southwest Chief? Around 5 to 10% of what Boulder County's transportation budget. Colorado spends billions on our roads, mostly through city and county budgets. Every county and city in our state could save money through better support for rail.

Please click on the link and sign: Change.org Petition to Save the Southwest Chief

Thanks

FasTracks Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting

Quarterly Meeting
Wednesday, December 11 at 6-8 pm
Stapleton Foundation
7350 E. 29th Avenue, Suite 300
Denver
Bus: 28, 73

The focus of this meeting will be the East Rail Line. Usually, there is a presentation and then people make comments or ask the committee questions. The Citizen Advisory Committee is a group of volunteers who advise RTD on the FasTracks system.

Tell CDOT what is important to you in our transportation plan

The Colorado Department of Transportation is looking for feedback on transportation matter to help them develop the Statewide Transportation Plan. You can take the survey in either English or Spanish here: http://coloradotransportationmatters.com/surveys/

The survey will be open until December 15, 2013.

Reminder: The RTD Board Meets Monthly

November Board Meeting
Tuesday, November 19 at 5:30 pm
RTD Administrative Offices
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: Free Mall Ride and almost all that go downtown

Remember: Anyone can speak for three minutes before the meeting.

Market Street Station is Closing, Come to a Meeting to Discuss What this Means

The new bus box at Union Station is opening on May 11, and RTD wants to move all of the bus service from Market Street Station. There may also be a chance to discuss the changes that are taking place in January to local routes that serve downtown. Many routes are going to experience service adjustments, but it looks like the only route with a real schedule change is going to be the AF. The 15L's route is going to change the most, and that may influence its schedule.

It appears to me that the main reason to go to one of the meetings would be to discuss getting bus service that is more central to downtown. By the way, all the meetings will be held downtown.

Friday, November 15 at 6 pm
Wednesday, November 20 at noon
Wednesday, November 20 at 6 pm
RTD Administrative Offices
1600 Blake Street, Rooms T&D
Denver
Bus: 0, 10, 28, 32, 44, 120X, AF, B, L


I wonder if RTD's offices are going to move.

NMDOT wants to know what you think of their rail plan

The New Mexico Department of Transportation has written a state rail plan, and they would like to know what residents of New Mexico think of it. You can comment online at Rail.Plan@state.nm.us until January 3, 2014. You can also attend meetings starting this week which I would encourage because the plan itself is an unreadable mess. A powerpoint presentation might actually be more comprehensible.

The presentations all start at half an hour after the start of the meeting.

Monday, November 4 at 6 pm
City of Santa Fe Offices at Market Street
500 Market Street, Suite 200
Santa Fe
Train: (Rail Runner)
Bus: 1, 2
The M and the free Santa Fe Pickup will get you to the meeting, but may stop running before you need to go home.

Tuesday, November 5 at 6 pm
Mid-Region Council of Governments
809 Copper Avenue NW
Albuquerque
Bus: 66 (Be aware that east bound buses stop on Central.)
This is near the downtown bus terminal so many routes run within a ten to twenty minute walk.
Train: A ten to fifteen minute walk from Rail Runner and Amtrak trains. Greyhound buses also stop at the Transit Center.

Wednesday, November 13 at 5 pm
McKinley County Emergency Management Center
2221 E. Boyd Avenue
Gallup
I think that if you type this address into Google Maps, it may send you to the wrong place. Gallup has a Call-n-Ride, and has intercity service from Amtrak, Greyhound, and Navajo Transit.

Thursday, November 14 at 6 pm
Farmington Civic Center
200 W. Arrington
Farmington
Bus: The Green, Blue, and Purple routes stop here, but I can't find out what hours they run. Here is their website: Red Apple Transit.

Tuesday, December 10 at 5 pm
Las Cruces Railroad Museum
351 N. Mesilla Street
Las Cruces
Bus: The bus system in Las Cruces stops running at 7 pm. The 50 and the 80 run closest.

You can try to read the PDF of New Mexico's proposed rail plan at http://www.dot.state.nm.us/content/dam/nmdot/Transit_Rail/New_Mexico_State_Rail_Plan_Draft_2013-09-30.pdf

Meetings on a Proposed Rail Plan

Monday, November 4 at 5-7 pm
Interregional Connectivity Study Public Meetings
Windsor Public Library
720 3rd Street
Windsor
No bus or train service

Tuesday, November 19 at 5-7 pm
CDOT Golden Offices
Trail Ridge Conference Room
425C Corporate Circle
Golden
No bus service. The Golden Call-n-Ride may get you here, but you would have to leave early.

Wednesday, November 20 at 5-7pm
Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments
15 South Seventh Street
Colorado Springs
Bus: 3 (PDF) (Runs late and everything. Way to go Colorado Springs!)

Thursday, November 21 at 5-7 pm
Pueblo Convention Center - Heroes Pavilion
320 Central Main Street
Pueblo
Bus: Bessemer Route 2 although you would have to leave early

Regular Bus Service Returns to Lyons on Monday

The Y and YL routes resume on Monday, November 4 as the roads are better and most Lyons residents will have returned to their homes by that time. (I am not linking to the route schedules as they are not currently up.)

Just a reminder, Lyons residents can get a free EcoPass at Lyons Town Hall at its temporary location at Lyons Elementary, 388 High Street. This is good for free RTD bus service. I am not sure if all light rail lines are also free or just some.

The Lakewood Planning Commission needs to hear that people want buses

Lakewood Planning Commission Public Hearing
Wednesday, November 6 at 7 pm
Lakewood City Council Chambers
480 S. Allison
Lakewood
Bus: 3, 26, 76

The Lakewood Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on the Downtown Lakewood Connectivity and Urban Design Plan which will be an amendment to the Lakewood Comprehensive Plan. I am concerned that the people developing the plan are not able to achieve the stated goals which include developing a pedestrian-friendly environment and balancing mobility options. I am hoping that lots of bus riders will attend the meeting to make sure that Lakewood does a good job.

Reminder - RTD Board Meeting is Next Week

Tuesday, October 29 at 5:30 pm

Monthly Board Meeting

RTD Administrative Offices

1600 Blake Street

Denver

Bus: 0, 1, 6, 28, 32, 44, 120X, AF, B, L

As always, anyone can give a public comment at the start of the meeting.

Lakewood Moves (Maybe)

Tuesday, October 29 at 5:30 to 8 pm (Speakers at 6:30 pm)
Lakewood City Council Chambers
480 S. Allison Parkway
Lakewood
Bus: 3, 26, 76

The stated purpose of this meeting is to get input from the citizens of Lakewood about future transportation developments. I am not sure than why this meeting needs speakers. Gideon Berger is private consultant and Crissy Fanganello is lead planner for the City and County of Denver. As Denver is one of the worst cities in the country for support of transit, I am concerned that she is being brought in for this process.

I will find out when people can actually have their voices heard and list that time or times here.

This meeting is part of Lakewood's series of meetings on the new Comprehensive plan.

Public Meeting ... Open House? in Arvada

Tuesday, October 22 at 6-7:30 pm
Presentation at 6:15
Arvada Library
7525 W. 57th Avenue
Arvada
Bus: 52, 76
The 72 may get you there, but may not get you back.
These are the routes on Ralston Road. The City of Arvada does not want buses downtown, so the nearest routes are two blocks away. It is also possible to walk from Arvada Park-n-Ride, but this route is less accessible than the one from Ralston. The 50 only serves the Park-n-Ride.

This meeting is to provide construction information and to let people see pictures of the commuter rail vehicle. It is billed as a public meeting, but I am not sure that people are going to have an opportunity to comment. The Gold Line Advisory Committee is one of the hosts.

Time to hear from RTD, this time over the telephone

There is one town hall with each board member. RTD will be calling people in each district, but you can also call in to the meetings by calling 1-877-229-8493, PIN No. 112070. It appears that each town hall will last about an hour.

Thursday, October 24

6:15 pm

District L, Arvada and environs, represented by Lorraine Anderson

7:30 pm

District O, Boulder, represented by Chuck Sisk

Monday, October 28

6:15 pm

District J, Westminster, Federal Heights, and Northglenn, represented by Larry Hoy

7:30 pm

District I, Longmont and the northern edge of the district, represented by Judy Lubow

Wednesday, October 30

6:15

District K, Adams County, represented by Paul Solano

7:30

District N, southwest Jefferson County, represented by Bruce Daly

Monday, November 4

6:15 pm

District A, Denver and Glendale, represented by Bill James

Wednesday, November 6

6:15 pm

District C, northwest Denver and Edgewater, represented by Angie Rivera-Malpiede

7:30 pm

District D, southwest Denver, Englewood, and Sheridan, represented by Jeff Walker

Thursday, November 7

6:15 pm

District G, RTD's southeastern edge, represented by Gary Lasater

7:30 pm

District H, Centennial, Littleton, and Highlands Ranch, represented by Kent Bagley

Monday, November 11

6:15 pm

District E, east Denver and west Aurora, represented by Claudia Folska

7:30 pm

District F, parts of Aurora and Centennial, represented by Tom Tobiassen

Wednesday, November 13

6:15 pm

District B, northeast Denver and north Aurora, represented by Barbara Deadwyler

7:30 pm

District M, Lakewood, Golden, and Wheat Ridge, represented by Natalie Menten

W Line Connectivity Public Event

Saturday, October 19 at 1 pm - ?
Wadsworth Light Rail Station, Plaza Area
Light Rail: W
Bus: 9, 26, 28, 76
[Please note that the 9 may have its own bus stop(s).]

There is going to be a giant map of the area around the W line in the middle of the Plaza which is on the east side of Lakewood-Wadsworth Light Rail Station. The map will include the area around the Sheridan, Lamar, Lakewood-Wadsworth, Garrison, and Oak Stations. This is the kickoff event for the West Rail Access Study.

If you would like more information about this event or about the West Rail Access Study, you can call Ben Waldman at 303-987-7984.

Hopefully, the study will focus on current transit users rather than people who are married to their SUV's. Personally, I would like to learn more about people who take the bus or train once a week to once a month. I don't think that there is a lot of benefit to marketing transit to people who never use it, but we could get a lot of increased ridership by increasing the places that people feel comfortable taking a bus or a train. We could also get more ridership by reducing the time constraints that come with transit use in Denver.

It used to be that it was faster to take the bus in Boulder than drive. I have had that same experience in several other countries as well. We could make it the same here.

East Corridor Public Forum

Thursday, October 17, 5:30 - 8 pm
Stapleton Foundation
7350 E. 29th Avenue, Suite 300
Denver
Bus: 28, 73
Be aware that you probably need to get on and off the 28 on 29th Street or on Pontiac. This route may not stop on Quebec.

Sorry for the late announcement. I just got notice of this today. If anyone goes, let me know what happens. Other than that this is an open house on The East Rail Line, probably about development around the stations.

This meeting is being run by a private consultant as a part of DRCOG's Sustainable Communities initiative.

Learn about how General Motors destroyed public transportation in America

Documentary: "Taken for a Ride" (free)
Wednesday, October 16 at noon
Lakewood Cultural Center, Community Room
470 S. Allison Parkway
Bus: 1, 3, 11, 14, 26, 76

Every year in October the City of Lakewood hosts a brown bag lunch series of documentaries on urban planning. This film of how car companies bought public transportation systems around the country and dismantled them is famous, and I am looking forward to seeing it.

The next step is getting people in Lakewood's planning department to actually implement the insights of the documentaries they show into their plans.

It is time for new Advisory Committee members

Are you interested in helping RTD make decisions about the FasTracks program? Then the RTD FasTracks Citizen Advisory Committee might be for you. This volunteer group meets with the public four times a year to listen to citizen concerns about the FastTracks project. There are also monthly work sessions as needed. I also think participants get free bus passes.

To apply, send a brief statement of interest, describe your qualifications and related experience, and a resumé to Dale.Honor@rtd-denver.com by Friday, October 25.

For more information contact CAC facilitator Roger Sherman at 303-592-5465. (And yes, this is a PR person.)

Here is what RTD says about how members are chosen: Appointments to the panel shall be made to ensure a broad representation of stakeholder interests, to achieve diversity and to provide geographical representation within the district.

Selection criteria will include, but not be limited to, residency within the RTD region; a demonstrated interest in public transit and the FasTracks program; previous community service; experience working with local jurisdictions on regional issues; and professional expertise.

Fort Collins Transit Users Meet Wednesday

BB-PTAG General Meeting
Wednesday, October 9 at 3:45
Downtown Transit Center
250 N. Mason Street
Fort Collins
Bus: All that go downtown including the FLEX that connects Loveland

Foothills Gateway, an organization that supports people with cognitive disabilities who live in northern Colorado, will send a representative, and there may be some new members, so this might be a good meeting to attend. The group will mainly discuss where they are in implementing their efforts toward immediate implementation of Phase 3 of Fort Collins transportation plan.

The Transfort liaison will be discuss accessible bus stops.

East Rail Line Annual Open House

Saturday, October 12 at 11 am to 1 pm
Swigert International School, Cafetorium
3480 Syracuse Street
Denver
Bus: 28 (Buses going both directions stop at same stops, so pay attention when leaving.)
Also within walking distance of the 43, 65, and 73 buses, all of which run on Quebec. This location is also within walking distance of one of the proposed stations.

From the announcement:
Join the Regional Transportation District and its contractor, Denver Transit Partners, for our annual community open house! 

Get informed on our construction progress as we build the RTD FasTracks East Rail Line traveling between Union Station and Denver International Airport.
 
•See heavy construction equipment 
•View final station designs 
•Learn about the new train cars 

We’re serving hamburgers and hotdogs, so bring your family, friends and neighbors! 

For additional information, special needs request or to request Spanish translation, please contact Joshua Solis at 303.297.5284 orjoshua.solis@dtpjv.com.

I am hoping that Denver Transit Partners shows some awareness that this is not just a construction project.

East Rail Line Information Session

Thursday, October 10 at 11 am to 1 pm
FasTracks Information Session
East Rail Line
Market Street Station
16th & Market
Bus: Free Mall Shuttle, 120X, AF, B, L
Within walking distance of most buses that go downtown.

I am assuming that there will be information posted in the station and people present to answer questions, but I do not have any information about what exactly is going to happen.

Update: RTD is bringing snacks.

Are You Special?

Do you live near the US 36 BRT route? Have you been involved in station area planning? Are you a member of a neighborhood group? Are you a "community leader"? If so, you may be qualified to become a member of the Northwest Corridor Stakeholder Committee.

The Northwest Corridor Stakeholder Committee will be managing a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for something called the Sustainable Communities Initiative. The goal for this initiative is a bunch of buzz words.

More information is available at the Project Website (PDF).

The application (which is actually not bad) is also available online (PDF). You can email your application to Ashley Kaade at akaade@drcog.org by Friday, October 18. You can also mail or hand deliver it to DRCOG, Attn: Ashley Kaade, 1290 Broadway, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80023. Or you can fax it to 303-480-6790, Attn: Ashley Kaade. You can also ask Ms. Kaade any questions that you might have.

NARP is Looking for New Council Members

The National Association of Railroad Passengers is partly run by its Council of Representatives, and NARP is currently looking for people to fill both state and at-large positions. These people are elected by NARP members although in many years, there is only one candidate for each position. It seems that NARP is looking to change that as they are advertising for more candidates. I personally would like to see the council become more diverse and for council members to be more respectful of women and people of color.

If you are interested, and have been a NARP member for at least a year, please fill out the online form before December 1, 2013. The election will be held in January 2014.

The council meets twice a year, once in Washington, DC in late April and once in another Amtrak accessible location. The council will be going to Salt Lake City, UT in October 2014.

(Please note the dates on the NARP website are different from those here based on updated information from Malcolm Kenton.)

CDOT is Holding Public Meetings on its Transit Plan

None in the Denver area. Or in Boulder. Or anywhere near Fort Collins. Or Grand Junction. These are supposedly upcoming, but nothing seems to be scheduled.

So for what it is worth, here are the announced meetings:

Tuesday, October 1 at 4 - 6 pm
La Junta Senior Center
102 E. 2nd Street
La Junta

CDOT Region 10 Office
300 North Cascade Avenue, Suite 1
Montrose

Wednesday, October 2 at 4-6 pm
Summit County Senior Center
0083 Nancy's Place
Frisco

Monday, October 7 at 4-6 pm
Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments
3224 Independence Road, Suite A
Cañon City

Tuesday, October 8 at 4-6 pm
City Council Chambers
101 West 8th Street
Glenwood Springs

Tuesday, October 15 at 4-6 pm
Washington County Fairgrounds
551 East 2nd Street
Akron

Wednesday, October 16 at 4-6 pm
Steamboat Springs Community Center
1605 Lincoln Avenue
Steamboat Springs

Thursday, October 17 at 4-6 pm
Grand Park Community Recreation Center
1 Main Street
Fraser

Monday, October 21 at 4-6 pm
Buena Vista Community Center, Piñon Room
715 E. Main Street
Buena Vista

Limon Community Center, South Room
477 D Street
Limon

Tuesday, October 22 at 4-6 pm
Alamosa Recreation Center
866 Road 109 South
Alamosa

Wednesday, October 23 at 4-6 pm
La Plata County Fairgrounds
2500 Main Avenue
Durango

Here's a question: The only really well placed meetings are those in the Intermountain Region. They are going to be in Frisco and Glenwood Springs, as they should be. I wonder why.

The transit plan website is http://coloradotransportationmatters.com/other-cdot-plans/transit/public-involvement/ which includes a powerpoint of the plan and an online comment form.

(I did miss tonight's meetings in Lamar and Gunnison. Sorry. I only got the announcement today.)

Transfort is holding a public meeting on proposed 2014 service changes

Meeting on Proposed Transfort Service Enhancements for May 
Wednesday, September 25, 4:30 to 6:30 pm
Community Room
215 N. Mason (Is this City Hall?)
Fort Collins
Bus: Across the street from the downtown transit center, so every bus that goes downtown.

Here are the proposed changes:

Proposed Routes (PDF)

Proposed bus frequencies (PDF) No info on when they run at these frequencies.

Summary of where service is being added and where it is being cut. (PDF) It looks like as much service is being cut as is being added, but that more routes will see increased service as only two are seeing decreases.

If you cannot attend a meeting, you can send comments to Jerediah Burianek at jerediah@fcgov.com or 970-224-6195. You can also mail comments to Transfort, P.O. Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522.

What if you live in a flood area and don't have a car?

Starting Monday, September 23, Via Mobility Services is offering van service to Boulder County's disaster assistance centers. Via is also offering van service to work, school, healthcare, food and any other essential services for all flood victims. To schedule a trip, please call 303-447-9636 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. The service does operate on the weekends, but those trips must be booked before Friday at 5 pm. This service will continue (for free) until Thursday, October 17.

In fact, the service is theoretically working today, but there does not seem to be anyway to actually book a ride.

The Climb, the Boulder to Gold Hill bus resumes with a modified route on Monday. The link will also take you to information about the midday roundtrip that Via is also running. From Monday, September 23 until Friday, October 11, a four-wheel drive van will leave from Nederland at 10 am to arrive in Boulder at 11:30 am. The return trip leaves Boulder Transit Center at 2 pm and arrives in Nederland at 3:30 pm. I am assuming that this bus has the same fare as the N, but costs is not mentioned in any of my sources of information.

Regular paratransit service within Nederland starts on Wednesday, September 25.

RTD will start running a modified N route on Monday also. Using the regular N buses, the route will run from Boulder to Nederland via Highway 119 and Black Hawk. You may want to contact RTD on Monday to confirm, as this information is not on their website yet.

Bus passes and tickets are available at disaster assistance centers. The Longmont Disaster Assistance Center is at Twin Peaks Mall, 1520 S. Hover Street. This is on the BOLT route. The Boulder Disaster Assistance Center is at 5495 Arapahoe Road. This is on the JUMP, next to Premier Credit Union.

Good luck to everyone who was in the flood. Please do not hesitate to ask for the help that you need.

Meetings on January Service Changes

Wednesday, September 18, noon and 6 pm
RTD Administrative Offices, basement meeting room
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: 0, 1, 6, 20, 28, 32, 44, MALL RIDE, 120X, AF, B, L

Thursday, September 19, noon
Civic Center Plaza
1560 Broadway, Room 1940
Denver
Bus: 0, 6, 15, 15L, 16, 16L, 79L, 83L 

Thursday, September 19, 7 pm
Central Park Recreation Center, Rooms A&B
9651 E. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Denver
Bus: 89

Thursday, September 19 at 7 pm
Boulder YMCA, Blue Room
2850 Mapleton
Boulder
Bus: 205, BOLT
The 205 is going to get a name; I wonder what it will be.

Saturday, September 21, 9 am
Chaffee Park Recreation Center (Is this location losing service?)
4580 Tejon Street
Denver
Bus: 52

Saturday, September 21, 1 pm
Green Mountain Rec. Center
13198 W. Green Mountain Drive
Lakewood
Bus: 21

Thursday, September 26, 6 pm
Glenarm Recreation Center
2800 Glenarm Place
Denver
Bus: 12, 28
Light Rail: D
This location may not be handicapped accessible from transit.


It is time for fall service change public meetings. Fortunately, it looks like there are more service additions than cuts. Unfortunately, there are some very important areas that are still not getting their service back. Also, RTD is getting even worse at describing service changes. As always, I am watching what happens with the 225, and I still can't tell what is happening.

Transit Advocates Coming Together in Fort Collins

Wednesday, September 4, 7 pm
Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship
300 East Oak
Fort Collins
Bus: Within far walking distance of downtown transit center.

The organizers may be providing rides to people.

Not only does Fort Collins need better transit, the residents of that city are in danger of losing the buses they have. So BB/PFLAG, an already existing group of bus riders, is hosting a meeting for people who live or work in Fort Collins to discuss this issue.

Here is the invitation:

Dear Transportation Advocate,

As many of you know, Barrier Busters/Public Transit Action Group has been  working hard to promote a community that is transit friendly and accessible to all people. 

While there is much excitement about the construction of the MAX, we feel as though it concentrates too much on facilitating shopping and a fun night out, and too little on actually moving people around our City.

We feel the time is now to assess what different transportation groups are working on, assess the city's plan and progress, and educate ourselves about what can be done. Our collective energy can do amazing things.

We would like to engage all local transportation advocates and activists to start an ad hoc group that serves to research, design and implement a plan that will move us forward. The ad hoc group may be ongoing, or we may simply take ideas back to our own groups. We can all benefit from knowing what each other is doing!

Perhaps this means a Transit District or perhaps it means a dedicated income stream while keeping transit within the City's budget. Much of this depends on our bandwidth and energy, but it is up to us to educate ourselves, reach out to the community, and determine the best method to create a stellar transportation system in Fort Collins. 

Please join us at an organizational meeting:

Wednesday, September 4, 7pm
Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship, 300 East Oak
Please bring all interested friends and community members, although at this point it is probably premature to bring in city officials or elected officials.

Please let us know if you are able to attend. We want to have enough yummy (yet simple) snacks. To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact Cheryl at FCCAN info@fccan.org or 970.419.8944.Thanks to all,
Barrier Busters/PTAG

RTD is taking comments about the placement of light rail along Fitzsimmons Parkway

RTD is changing where they are going to build the light rail along Fitzsimmons Parkway in Aurora as part of the I-225 line. The realignment powerpoint ( PDF) and the preferred alignment webpage can be accessed through the underlined links although the powerpoint PDF may not be completely visible. You can comment until August 30 through the FasTracks website or by sending an email to I-225@rtd-fastracks.com.

RTD still does not know where Fitzsimmons Station is going to be.

Please note that the website link will work for any comments on the I-225 light rail projects, so it can be used after August 30 for other subjects.

Social Action for Transit is meeting in Denver

Wednesday, August 28 at 6 pm
Peppers
3500 Morrison (Morrison and Alameda)
Denver
Bus: 3

We are going to be discussing past cuts to bus service in southwest Denver, and ways to bring those bus route(s) back. I am interested to hear what people say are their concerns. We may be discussing a bus route that used to run down Morrison.

The Field Hearings Continue

Colorado's Transportation Legislation Review Committee continues to hold field hearings around the state.

Monday, August 19
at 3 pm
Otero Junior College
Humanities Center and Theater, Room 1802
1802 Colorado Avenue
La Junta
Bus and Train: There are rumors of something called La Junta Transit, but I cannot find any evidence of it online. You can get here from Lamar via the Southwest Chief if you come early in the morning and then return in the evening. Otero Junior College is maybe a twenty minute walk from the staion. Greyhound will get you to La Junta at 3:45 on both of the schedules that I found.

Wednesday, August 20
at 9 am
El Pueblo History Museum
Meeting Room
301 North Union Avenue
Pueblo
Bus: Berkley Buelah #4 (PDF), and whatever route coming from the east is in green on the Pueblo Transit System Map. (Warning: This map is a little buggy.)

at 1:30 pm
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Gallogly Events Center, Gymnasium
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs
Bus: 9 (PDF) and 14 (PDF) will both get you to the edge of the campus. It is about a ten minute walk to the gymnasium from there.

The report from a transit activist up north was that these meetings were more self-congratulatory than genuine efforts to become more educated. Hopefully, these meetings will go better.

WestConnect Does Not Include Bus or Train Service

Or bikes.

Or pedestrians

The Jefferson County Commissioners are going to be holding telephone town halls about transportation plans, but they are only going to call people in the unincorporated parts of the county. There are also only considering highways which all together are described as the WestConnect project. We need to make sure that everyone else is heard from. If you live in Lakewood or Wheat Ridge or Arvada or any of the other incorporated communities in our county, you are going to have to call in.

Here are the times:

Thursday, August 22 at 7-8 pm
Telephone Town Hall with Faye Griffith, commissioner for the northern part of the county

Monday, August 26 at 7-8 pm
Telephone Town Hall with Donald Rosier, commissioner for the southern part of the county

Tuesday, August 27 at 7-8 pm
Telephone Town Hall with Casey Tighe, commissioner for the middle part of the county

Here is how to connect:

Call 877-299-8493 and enter PIN: 110302

We need to stand up for people. We do a lot more than drive.

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will be in Boulder on Wednesday

Wednesday, August 14 at 9 am (Doors open at 8:30 am)
Wolf Law Building, Mock Court Room
Kittredge Loop Drive (This the northeast corner of Baseline and Broadway.)
Boulder
Bus: 204, 225, SKIP, DASH, AB, B

The poster's tagline is "I will #ActOnClimate". Here is hoping there is some support for a more sustainable and human transportation system, although I am just impressed that this is happening.

You need to reserve a space through the link at: http://www.iwillact.us/event/co-gina-mccarthy-in-boulder/

Open Houses on Lakewood's Comprehensive Plan

The City of Lakewood claims that they want to start a community discussion on Lakewood's Comprehensive Plan, Lakewood 2025. The City keeps claiming this, and then the process gets hijacked by the wealthy and connected and white. Which is why I say "they" instead of "we".

I am especially disturbed that "sustainability" has been defined as things that white people like.

"Moving Forward"
Wednesday, September 18, 5:30-8 pm
Lakewood Cultural Center
470 S. Allison Parkway
Lakewood
Bus: 1, 3, 11, 76

For all my negativity, I do want people to go to these meetings. Withdrawing just empowers people who are already too powerful. We especially need to make planner understand that "sustainability", systems that can be sustained for a long time, means more energy efficient buildings and more buses, trains, bike paths, and sidewalks.

Pig Roast Tomorrow (Saturday) at Vino Salida

Vino Salida is one of the many small businesses that have hosted a Social Action for Transit meeting. They also make some very good wine. They are hosting a pig roast and potluck tomorrow with music by Lupe Balazos Jug Band. The event starts at 6 pm. Vino Salida is located at 8100 W. Highway 50 in Salida, CO. Bus service there is terrible, but they want better.

Jefferson County is asking for input on health issues

There have already been meetings in Edgewater and Littleton. There next meeting is starting right now in Conifer. Two additional meetings are planned for Arvada and Lakewood. A light dinner is provided at all meetings. I am hoping that people bring up substantial issues, like transit and housing at these meetings. I am also hoping that we can discuss how our tax dollars subsidize unhealthy living.

Monday, July 22, 6-7:30 pm
Mountain Resource Center
11030 Kitty Drive
Conifer
Child Care will be provided

Tuesday, July 30, 6-7:30 pm
Arvada Library
7525 W. 57th Avenue
Arvada
Bus: You are going to have to walk from the Arvada Park-n-Ride. Downtown Arvada has no direct bus service.

Wednesday, August 7, 4:30-6 pm
Clements Community Center
1580 Yarrow Street
Lakewood
Bus: 16. The 20, 26, 28, and 76 are within a five to ten minute walking distance. The light rail on Wadsworth is a little farther.

Colorado's Transportation Legislation Review Committee Field Hearings

Wednesday, July 24 at 10:30 - noon
Morgan County Treasurer's Office
Assembly Room
231 Ensign Street
Fort Morgan
Bus: Platte Express Bus Route
This location is one block from the Amtrak station although the schedule does not work for anyone coming from within Colorado.

Wednesday, July 24 at 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
University Center Conference Room
2045 10th Avenue
Greeley
Bus: Orange and Blue

Thursday, July 25 at 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Front Range Community College
Longs Peak Student Center
East & West Room
4616 S. Shields
Fort Collins
Bus: 1, 19 Please note that there is a detour on the 19 (PDF) route near this location.
Also within a ten to twenty minute walk of the Flex.

Transportation Legislation Review Committee (The links from this page have some fancy coding that may prevent them from opening on some machines.)

Southern Colorado and Western Slope Tours are scheduled for August and September, respectively.

On the one hand, I actually heard about the committee meetings this year. On the other, I heard about it from organizations that very much defend corporate interests above those of small businesses and ordinary citizens. One in particular is very white. I may go to the meeting in Greeley to see if everyone is white.

RTD is proposing an additional station in the DIA area

Aviation Station Public Meeting

Thursday, July 18 at 5:30 to 7 pm

Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center

4890 Argonne Way

Denver

Bus: No direct bus service. 169L and 45 are nearest.

A new station along the East Line has been proposed for the corner of 61st and Peña Boulevard. The City and County of Denver, DIA, and the developer Fulenwider Inc. have requested this new station. I am wondering who is going to pay for it.

Social Action for Transit's July Meeting

Tuesday, July 16 at 7 pm
Winchell's Donuts
5195 W. 1st Avenue
Denver (across the street from Lakewood)
Bus: 1, 51

We are going to be discussing what it would take to fix the alignment of the W line so that it could go to the center of downtown. We also need to discuss how to get money to do so.

This location serves egg sandwiches as well as donuts, so you can eat if you come hungry.

Reminder: RTD Board's July meeting

Tuesday, July 16 at 5:30
RTD Administrative Offices
1600 Blake, downstairs
Denver
Bus: 0, 6, 20, 28, 32, 44, 120X, B, AF, Free Mall Shuttle

This is before this month's Social Action for Transit meeting.

The board will be reviewing Title VI (civil rights) service monitoring and approving the 2014-2019 Strategic Budget plan and the General Manager's 2014 Goals. There will also be reports from all committees.

Travel Poem

I love to travel anywhere

Feel the breezes through my hair

Destinations many such

Memories in mind so much.

Railway children travel far

Before we ever owned a car

On buses trains and boats were we

Intrepid little family.

Put our bikes on boats and planes

And of course our lovely trains

Met a lot of life out there

Because we could and did and dare

By Val from the BeWelcome forums (reprinted with permission).

Pueblo Area Council of Government is seeking comments on their transportation plan

2035 Long Range Transportation Plan
Thursday, June 27 at 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Pueblo Municipal Justice Center
200 S. Main Street
Pueblo
Bus: None
Routes 2 and 4 run by this location a little after 6:00 pm. It is possible to get back to Colorado Springs, if that is where you are coming from, with buses leaving the Pueblo Transit Center at 6:55 pm and 9:25 pm. If you are coming to Pueblo by bus, you have to arrive during morning rush hour.

You can read the PDF's of the plan at the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) web page. Unfortunately, this document is long-winded and poorly organized. Is the late notice of this meeting partly an attempt to hide this?

Comments should be sent to pacog_mpo@pueblo.us. Comments should be sent by July 8.

I would also encourage people who live in this area to contact their elected representatives. The Pueblo Area Council of Governments is made up of:
The City of Pueblo
County of Pueblo
Board of Water Works
Pueblo City Schools
Pueblo County School District 70
Pueblo West Metropolitan District
Colorado City Metropolitan District
Salt Creek Sanitation District

I would encourage people to contact more than one entity. Parking lots are a significant expense for schools, so transportation policies that encourage driving make education more expensive. The friction of cars on roads contaminates water, and electric cars produce as much as gas cars do. This should be a concern for the entities that provide our water.

Parker is developing a Transportation Master Plan

Community Open House for Transportation Master Plan
Thursday, June 27 at 5:30 pm
Parker Town Hall
20120 E. Mainstreet
Parker
Bus: None

If think that Parker is in a Catch 22 situation. You have to drive to get to public meetings so people who are transit dependent can't go. Neither can people who might not have the money to fix their car if it broke down; those people have to confine their trips to the bare essentials. I have met people in other parts of the metro area who are essentially prisoners in their own homes, some of whom live in communities that are more walkable than Parker is.

The invitation specifically mentions people who ride transit. I think that if that request is sincere then staff from the City of Parker should ride what buses do exist and talk to people. Not the consultants, the people who are going to be there after the consultants leave.

People can also contact Mary Munekata at 303-841-2332 or mmunekata@parkeronline.org. Ms. Munekata is an Associate Planner in Parker's Comprehensive Planning Division. She is also on the Douglas County Transit Solutions Board.

What other ways could the City of Parker reach out to people who have a hard time getting to their meetings or are disengaged?

FasTracks Citizen Advisory Committee Summer Meeting

FasTracks Citizen Advisory Committee
Wednesday, June 26 at 12-2pm
Westminster City Hall, Council Chambers
4800 W. 92nd Avenue
Westminster
Bus: 92
This is also within walking distance of the 31 and 51. It is a little farther to the Westminster ParknRide which is where I will be coming from if I go. There is a safe route that leads from the back end of the ParknRide, but it is not obvious.

If you look at the picture in the above link, the guy not wearing a suit is one of only two citizen activists among the guys. The other is wearing an orange waistcoat. Overall, if this was really a group of transit users, there would be more women than men. There would be more than one Latino/a and at least one Asian American.

We need to stop choosing people for positions because they have a particular color of skin and a particular set of genitals.

A Telephone Conversation on Transit in the Northwest

Update: RTD gave people the wrong phone number so they are going to try again!

Thursday, June 27 at 6:30-7:30 pm
RTD FasTracks Telephone Town Hall on
Mobility Options for the Northwest Area

Dial 1-877-229-8493 and enter code 19081

Today Rep. Perlmutter's office called me and said that his office was supporting a federal Tiger grant to build the Northwest Rail line as it is currently planned. Another alternative that I think that we should consider would be for the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) to build a rail line either from Denver to Longmont, Loveland, and Fort Collins or from the end of the North Metro Line again continuing on to Longmont, Loveland and Fort Collins. This line should be included in Amtrak's national system, making it possible to extend the line into Wyoming and further for a daily run.

Any changes to what RTD would provide would require voter approval.

Here is what RTD is considering:

1. Northwest Rail: Evaluate the feasibility and determine the cost associated with constructing the Northwest Rail commuter rail line in smaller segments over time. The line runs from Denver Union Station to Longmont. The first 6.2-mile segment of Northwest Rail, to 71st and Lowell in Westminster, is under construction and is scheduled to open in 2016.
2. North Metro Corridor Extension: As an alternate to providing rail service to Longmont via Northwest Rail, evaluate the possibility of extending the North Metro Line from the planned end of line at 162nd Avenue.
3. U.S. 36 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Determine how the remaining FasTracks U.S. 36 BRT commitment will be allocated and determine what, if any, final BRT elements are needed for implementation in the corridor.
4. Arterial BRT lines: Evaluate the potential for early implementation of Bus Rapid Transit lines on major arterial roads that could improve mobility and access to transit in the northwest area. Among the routes that will be evaluated are Colorado 119 between Boulder and Longmont, U.S. 287 between Broomfield and Longmont and various east/west connections between Boulder, Louisville, and Lafayette and onto Brighton. 
5. I-25 Downtown Express Lanes Reverse Commute: Examine the current and future reverse-commute challenges on I-25 between Denver Union Station and U.S. 36. Potential improvements to the current north I-25 managed lanes or other connections between Denver’s central business district and U.S. 36 to accommodate bidirectional use will be identified and tested for feasibility.

Entities participating in the study are 36 Commuting Solutions and North Area Transportation Alliance; the cities of Arvada, Boulder, Broomfield,  Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Superior and Westminster; Boulder County; Colorado Department of Transportation, the Denver Regional Council of Governments and the University of Colorado–Boulder.

Arvada Town Hall Meeting on the Gold Line and Northwest Rail

Colorado State Senate District 19 Town Hall Meeting
Local Transportation Update
Saturday, June 15, 10:30 am to noon
Standley Lake Library
8485 Kipling Street
Arvada
Bus: 100

This meeting is hosted by State Senator Evie Hudak and State Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp. Representatives from RTD will be there to answer questions about the Eagle-P3 project which includes the Gold Line and Northwest Rail. RTD Directors Lorraine Anderson and Larry Hoy will be there as well.

Safety on the Light Rail in Lakewood

Cops, Council, and Community
Light Rail Safety
Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 pm
Clements Center
1580 Yarrow Street
Lakewood

The Lakewood Police community outreach officers have these meetings every few months to connect with the community. This next one is on light rail safety, and I am hoping that the community will be active in making sure that the information that we are getting about rail safety is accurate and answers the needs of the community. Already, the Lakewood police are more polite than the Denver police when they are on the light rail. I think we need to have a community discussion about whether we want police officers to be checking to see if people are paying their fares rather than working to keep transit users safe.

What are the lessons of the W line construction?

Social Action for Transit meeting
Wednesday, June 12 at 2 pm
Chicago Beef and Dogs
6680 W. Colfax Avenue
Lakewood
Bus: 16
We will be within walking distance of the Lamar Street Station and the 9 bus.

I will be meeting with a couple residents of the Two Creeks neighborhood to discuss the lessons for other neighborhoods from the W line construction. I am concerned because it looks like the same mistakes are being repeated to the north, and I want our rail lines to be the best that they can be.

All bus and train riders are invited to join us.

What kind of development is going to take place around transit in Aurora?

Open Houses on Peoria Crossing Development

Tuesday, June 11 at 5 pm
Bennet's BBQ
3700 Peoria Street (across the railway tracks from Aurora)
Denver
Bus: 121

Wednesday, June 12 at 7 pm
Park Lane Elementary School
13001 E. 30th Avenue
Aurora
Bus: 121

I don't have a lot of information about this meeting, but all the more reason to go and find out what is happening with development along the airport line. We need to find out if the city of Aurora is in charge of this project or if private developers are in charge.

You do have to RSVP to private firm, a PR company which you can do by calling 303-818-2499 or sending a message to joy@cig-pr.com. I also encourage residents of the area to just show up if they do not have time to RSVP.

Representatives from RTD will be at the Park Lane Elementary meeting on Wednesday.

Want to Witness a High Speed Rail Fantasy?

AGS Feasibility Study
Project Leadership Team Meeting
Tuesday, June 11 at 1-4 pm
Summit County Library North Branch
651 Center Circle
Silverthorne
Bus: Silverthorne Loop (This bus will get you there seven minutes before the meeting starts.)
This location is within walking distance of the Silverthorne Transfer Center which is the arrival point of  buses from Wildernest and Ryan Gulch Road as well as Frisco, Dillon, and Keystone. All these Summitt Stage buses are free.

It is typical of this group that the announcement got the name of the location wrong. Basically, what is happening is that we have a group planning a $20 billion train to the mountains when we could substantially improve the service that we have with $500 million.

Partly, I think that the purpose of this study is to come up with a plan that is so expensive that it will make rail impossible to build in Colorado. But I also think that the people who are doing this study (as well as the ICS study) simply don't know what they are doing.

So not only is this a fantasy, it is not even an attractive one.

Anyone can go to this meeting, although comments are only taken at the beginning.

"Impact of Rail in Illinois" Roundtable

Tuesday, June 11 at 9 am
Capitol Building, Room 212
301 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62706
This location is five blocks from the Springfield Amtrak station and two blocks from the local bus transfer center. Amtrak is only $20 from Chicago, but it will get you there late, at 10:15 am.

It looks like the Republican leadership of the US House Subcomittee on Rail may be backing away from their opposition to improving rail in this country. Or maybe they are just getting more subtle about it. Illinois is one of the few states where Republicans vote support rail and transit, and elected officials from that state will be at this roundtable. It looks like this roundtable will focus on freight.

Car-free Hiking

Update: On September 28, the shuttle will leave from Nederland's RTD Park-n-Ride at 2nd and Jackson in downtown Nederland instead of Nederland High School.

Saturday service now ends at 6 pm.


Remember the free shuttle to the Hessie Trailhead. Well it is back and will stay even longer this year, until October 6. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes from Nederland High School/Middle School on Saturdays (8-6)  and Sundays (8-6) as well as July 4 and September 2. And your dog can go too (on leash). The Hessie Trailhead is the entryway to multiple trails that lead to such US Forest Service lands such as the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, Devils Thumb, and Diamond Lake.

RTD's N Route stops at Nederland High School/Middle School also, for a car-free day. No dogs on RTD however.

Free Shuttle between Downtown Lakewood and Light Rail

The Belmar Free Shuttle runs hourly between the Lakewood-Wadsworth Station and Belmar. It starts at 464 S. Teller Street at 11 am., and leaves from that stop every hour on the hour until 7 pm. The shuttle leaves from the RTD stop on the east side of Wadsworth every hour on the half hour from 11:30 to 7:30 pm. You can tell which bus is the shuttle because it is covered in colorful ads.

I think this bus should run later on Fridays and Saturdays so that people can go out.

August Service Changes Mean June Public Meetings

For once there are few service cuts. There are some routes that are losing an individual run, but they are all getting another somewhere else in the schedule.  The two routes that are losing service are the 9 and the 121. Hopefully, if people are unhappy with these changes, they will get Aurora, Denver, or Lakewood to pay to keep those routes. We need to start shifting funding away from cars to buses.

Monday, June 10 at 12 pm (noon)
University of Colorado
UMC Room 247
1669 Euclid Avenue
Boulder
Bus: DASH, HOP, SKIP, JUMP, 204, 225, AB, B

Wednesday, June 12 at 12 pm (noon) and 6 pm
RTD Administrative Offices
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: Mall Shuttle, 1, 6, 20, 28, 32, 44, 120x, B, L
(Google Maps is wrong for this location; the bus box is not open, and regional buses are still going to Market Street Station.)

Thursday, June 13 at 1 pm
Heather Gardens
Mountain View Room
2888 S. Heather Gardens Way
Aurora
Bus: 130

Saturday, June 15 at 1 pm
Golden Community Center
2nd Floor Community Room
1470 10th Street
Golden
Bus: It is a four to five block walk to the 16.

Monday, June 17 at 7 pm
Clements Community Center
1590 Yarrow Street
Lakewood
Bus: 16
This location is a five to ten minute walk from the Lakewood-Wadsworth Station. The 76 and 26 are also close.

I am curious to find out if a lot of the students who are losing their school trip ride are in Lakewood. I would think that a meeting about the 9 would be further east in Denver. I am also curious to find out what is happening with the 225. The online information says that the Saturday schedules will be changing, but the 225 does not run on Saturday. It should run on Saturdays; maybe it will after it gets extended to Broomfield.

When I was young, many years ago, there was a bus that connected Lafayette to Broomfield. I am thinking that instead of having these long routes that can't be on time linking Broomfield and Lafayette, there should be a shorter one that does only that. That would be easier on the bus drivers and more reliable for the passengers. I wish there was a public meeting in Lafayette or Broomfield to discuss this.