April Service Change Public Meetings are Today

All meetings are on Monday, December 28.

Noon and 6 pm
RTD Administrative Offices
1600 Blake Street, Basement
Denver
Bus: Free Mall Ride, 0, 6, 28, 32, 44

6 pm only
Clements Center (Look for the signs pointing to the room.)
1580 Yarrow Street
Bus: 16 (Also in walking distance of the 76.)

Most of changes are schedule adjustments and the end of school service which actually takes place later than April.

The real changes are ending the 16 at Civic Center instead of 10th and Broadway. I think that these meetings are not being announced because the last time that RTD tried to shorten the 16, public pressure made them drop their plans.

RTD may be also trying to avoid outcry over the cancellation of the Belmar Call-n-Ride. The service could be a success if people knew about it.

In positive news, Longmont is getting evening and Sunday service. I bet that is the result of public pressure, not just on RTD, but the Longmont city council.

Finally, we need to be putting pressure on our local governments as well as RTD. It looks like the City of Denver is kicking RTD off of the downtown mall. Is the City of Denver going to have any public meetings to announce this, or is it just going to be a surprise?

If you can't go to a meeting tomorrow, you can send a comment to service.changes@rtd-denver.com until Thursday, December 31.

RTD is going to be led by someone new

Forum on new RTD General Manager

Thursday, December 10, 5:30 pm

Embassy Suites Downtown

1420 Stout Street

I am not sure if the public gets to speak or not.

Public Meetings on FLEX extension to Boulder

Wednesday, December 9, 6- 8pm
Envision Longmont Meeting
Longmont Library
409 4th Avenue
Longmont
Bus: BOLT

Thursday, December 10, 5:30 - 7 pm
City of Boulder Transit Open House
Boulder County Courthouse East Wing
2025 14th Street
Boulder
Bus: Hop, SKIP, 204, 205, 206, 208, 225, DASH, JUMP, AB, B, BOLT, N

The FLEX currently runs between Longmont, Loveland, and Fort Collins. It is going to start running to Boulder. I hope we get an evening bus as well.

RTD holds public meetings about changes to west side service

RTD is adjusting bus service both to match anticipated revenue and to better serve the NW Rail Line (B) and the G Line to Arvada and Wheat Ridge. Here are the remaining public meetings.

Wednesday, September 11, 6pm

Irving Street Library 

7392 Irving Street

Westminster

Bus: 31

Friday, November 13, 6 pm

Arvada Municipal Building

8101 Ralston

Arvada

Bus: 52, 72

Within walking distance of the 76 and 100.

Wednesday, November 18, 6 pm

YMCA

6350 Eldridge Street

Arvada

Bus: 52 (Last bus goes by shortly after 8.)

Sorry for not getting this up before the first meeting. I went to the meeting tonight at the RTD Offices, and I am concerned. The person running the meeting did not do anything to explain the changes or anything else. He did not even use a map to help answer questions.

Personally, I am concerned about the Oak Street stop being cut without the people who use that stop being notified. A lot of people get on and off the bus at Oak Street, many more than use the Federal Center, which is being kept.

I am also confused about the situation with the 76 and the 51. I thought that the 51 and 50 were being combined and that the frequency of the 76 was being increased but now I am not sure.

You can go to http://www.rtd-denver.com/servicechanges-b-g.shtml, and see all the changes for yourself.

RTD's October Board Meeting

Tuesday, October 27 at 5:30 pm
RTD Administrative Offices
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: Free Mall Ride
0, 6, 20, 28, 32, 44

The proposed January service changes will probably be discussed at this meeting.

Amtrak Trains Days Come to Colorado

Amtrak Train Days at Denver Union Station
Saturday, October 3, 10 am to 4 pm
behind Denver Union Station
1701 Wynkoop
Bus: This is just above the south exit from the bus box. A five minute walk from the W and E lines.

Amtrak Train Days at Grand Junction Station
Saturday, October 10, 10 am to 4 pm
Grand Junction Amtrak Station
3339 South 1st Street
Grand Junction
Bus: 5 stops about a block away

"Climb aboard the Amtrak Exhibit Train for an engaging self-guided tour through Amtrak's past, present and future. For the youngest rail fans, stop off at Chuggington Kids Depot, featuring oty train and coloring tables."

FasTracks Citizen Advisory Council Meets Wednesday

Wednesday, September 16, 6-8 pm

Westminster City Hall

Council Chambers

4800 W. 92nd Avenue

Westminster

Bus: 92

Sometimes the CAC gets information that is not being presented to the public, sometimes it is exactly the same. There is no subject listed for this meeting.

Ride the Rails with Rep. Perlmutter

Monday, September 14, 7-9 am
W Line (on the train)
Federal Center Station to ???

I would assume that Rep. Perlmutter and his staff would ride until Lamar or Sheridan Stations as that is the border of his district.

I assume that this will be organized like his Government in the Grocery events where you have the opportunity to sign up to speak to the Rep. one on one. But I could be wrong.

Tours of the I-225 Rail Line are so popular, two new dates have been added

R Line tours are so popular, you have to sign up to find out where they start.

The two new tours are on Saturday, September 19 and Saturday, October 17. All tours start at 10 am and last around two hours. You can RSVP by using the online form.

You can email Michelle Brier at Michelle.Brier@RTD-Denver.com to be waitlisted for the tours on Thursday, September 17 or Thursday, October 15. I have sent her a message asking for the starting location.

Local Non-profit is hosting a Meeting on Possible Changes to RTD

Thursday, September 10, 6-7:30 pm

Rights for All People office

1085 Peoria Street

Aurora

Bus: 10, 121

This is an opportunity to find out about and discuss proposed schedule changes with other residents of Aurora. Just be aware that the board of this organization supports raising fares on everybody to finance a reduced fare for some clients of local non-profits.

See public art via light rail and fight climate change

Saturday, September 12, 9 am - 3 pm
starting point: Union Station Light Rail
You can get here on the W or E lines or any bus that goes to Union Station

The tour uses the E line to see public art in Denver and Englewood. Self-guided and tours guided by the Museum of Outdoor art are available. You will be told the time for each segment so that you can decide how much or how little time to spend. Please schedule at least an hour for travel time and walking to the art.

In addition, there will be contests. There will be drawings for bus tickets every half hour, and Denver Arts and Venues will be running a contest to find the best cell phone photo of our public art.

One of the organizers, Laurie Gibb, says, "Using public transportation helps us feel like we're making a difference," in the fight against climate change.

So if you take the bus or the train, you are fighting climate change and should pat yourself on the back.

Public Workshop #2 for the I-25 & Broadway Station Area Plan

Tuesday, September 1, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Denver Design District
595 S. Broadway
Denver
Bus: 0, 4, 3, 52

From the flyer (PDF):

5:30 - 6:30   Working Group Discussion of Draft Frameworks

6:30 - 7:00   Presentation on Planned Projects

7:00 - 7:30   Open Discussion

There will be a kids activity table but no childcare.

For more information, you can go to the I-25 & Broadway Station Area Plan website which includes links to the neighborhood plans.

There will be a third public meeting to review the draft station area plan. Be wary of planners saying that plans are further along than they are.

RTD Board Goes Back to Its Usual Day in August

RTD Board Meeting
Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 5:30 pm
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: 0, 6, 20, 28, 32, 44 on 17th
Free Mall Shuttle on 16th

As always, members of the public can speak for 3 minutes each at the beginning of the meeting.

Open House for Boulder's New Bus Station

Boulder Junction Open House
Thursday, August 13, 4:30 to 6:30
Boulder Junction at Depot Square Station
3151 Pearl Parkway
Boulder
Bus: 206
Also very close to the Bound.
The 205 is further but still within walking distance down Pearl.

There will also be tours of housing and commercial development in the area.

The HX and S will start serving this station on August 17, the Monday following the open house. Additional service will arrive with the Flatiron Flyer in 2016.

Bus Tours of the Gold Line

Bus Tours of the Gold Line/Westminster Segment of the Northwest Rail Line resume in August. All tours start from the Ward Road Park-n-Ride which is east of Ward Road and north of I-70. No word on buses to this location. All tours are 10am to noon. Dates include:

Thursday, August 20
Thursday, September 24
Thursday, October 15

The closest regular bus is the 44 which stops about a block away.

No info yet on time of day. Hopefully, some weekend dates will be scheduled as well.

Participants must RSVP as all 35 seats sometimes are filled. To do so contact Christina Zazueta at 303-576-3352 or Christina.Zazueta@dtpjv.com

July RTD Board Meeting

Tuesday, July 28 at 5:30 pm
RTD Administrative Offices, Basement
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: Free Mall Ride, 0, 6, 20, 28, 32

Bus riders meeting for tea

Thursday, July 23, 6 pm
Wystone Tea
7150 W. Alaska Drive
Lakewood
Bus: 1, 3
Also walkable from the 26 and 11 routes.

We may discuss the future of route 26 and/or opposing widening I-70 or we may just chat and get to know each other.

Wystone Tea's serves small meals and coffee as well as tea.

Want to see where commuter rail trains are taken care of?

RTD's Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility
Saturday, July 25, 10- 2 pm
613 W. 48th Avenue
Denver
Bus: none?

This looks interesting, but it seems that people who work here are not going to be able to take the bus or the train and current train and bus riders cannot attend this event. ???

The State of Colorado starts buses north, south, and to the mountains

Monday, July 13 Bustang buses will start to connect Denver to Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Glenwood Springs. There are ribbon cutting ceremonies that morning at the begginning of each route.

5:30 am in Colorado Springs

Tejon/Nevada ParknRide (Is this the same as the bus terminal?)

Bus:??

6:00 am in Fort Collins

Harmony Transfer Center

Off of E.. Harmony Road to the east of I-25

Bus: North Line, 16

6:45 am in Glenwood Springs

South Glenwood BRT Station

27th Street & CO82

Bus: ??

There will also be free coffee in downtown Denver at the Union Station bus station at gate B3 from 6:00 to 11:00 am.

Bus fares vary, but they are about half what s similar trip on Greyhound would cost. Buses are more frequent than Greyhound's although during the week only. I am hoping that weekend buses are added to Fort Collins for the students. I have not seen the schedule for Gelnwwod Springs yet. I would hope that there are weekend buses as that is when the traffic jams are.

Civic Center Station Rehabilitation Project

RTD is planning on rehabilitating Civic Center Station, and they are showing their plans to the public this Thursday. Were these plans made without public input?

Civic Center Plan Open House
RTD Plaza
outside Civic Center Station
1560 Broadway
Denver
Bus: 0L, 3L, 6, 8, 15, 15L, 16, 16L, 32, 79L, 83L, C, E (This list may not be complete.)

Some information is available at the following website: Civic Center Transit District Plan. You can also subscribe to get future updates.

RTD Manager Selection Survey

You can have a small impact on the choice of RTD's General Manager by filling out the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rtdgeneralmanager

The survey will be available until Saturday, June 23.

You can have more of an impact by writing to your RTD board rep, going to public meetings, going to board meetings, recruiting people to run for the board or other positions advising RTD, and applying/running for those positions yourself.

Tell the City of Denver we need more buses and sidewalks

Brighton Boulevard Design Public Meeting
Thursday, June 18, 5:30 - 7:30 (presentation at 6)
The Summit Church
3300 Larimer Street
Denver

I hope that people will ask the City of Denver to do more to build and maintain sidewalks. I hope that people will ask what the City of Denver means by multi-modal. Denver is in the bottom nationally for its support of buses and trains. Is any funding going to go for better bus service? Are people going to be able to get to and from the new commuter rail line? Are the bike paths going to be safe for people to bike on? Is there going to be any enforcement of traffic laws?

This may also be an opportunity to oppose the widening of I-70.

The North Metro Rail Line is Having Meetings in Commerce City and Thornton

Wednesday, June 17, 5:30 pm
Commerce City Recreation Center
6060 Parkway Drive
Commerce City
Bus: 40, 49, 88

Thursday, Jule 25, 5:30 pm
Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center
11151 Colorado Boulevard
Thornton
Bus: 92

Station designs will be shown here. The team is saying that these are final, but they are not. Make your voice heard.

Gold Line Open House with Pancakes

Saturday, June 6, 9 am to 11 am
Olde Town Arvada Square
5751 Olde Wadsworth Blvd.
Arvada, CO

This is a CONSTRUCTION update. I hope that people come and make sure that the people doing the building understand what they are building.

Spanish translation is only available by contacting Christina Zazueta at 303-576-3352 or Christina.Zazueta@dtpjv.com.

May RTD Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday, May 26 at 5:30 pm
RTD Administrative Offices
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: 0, 6, 20, 28, 32

This is the meeting where the fare increases will be voted on. I know that several people are coming to show their opposition.

Lakewood Residents: Tell the city if you have a hard time getting the food you need

The City of Lakewood is asking residents about their access to fruits and vegetables. Do you need better bus access to grocery stores? Is it safe to walk to your grocery store? Do you need a grocery store in your neighborhood? Do you need a food bank or other form of food assistance?

Tell the city at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/lakewoodfoodaccess

Fort Collins Transit Users Group May Meeting

Thursday, May 14. 6-7:15 pm
CSU Transit Center Lobby
Lory Student Center
8033 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins
Bus: free campus shuttle, 2, 6, 7, 31, 32, 33, 34, MAX

Currently, this group is encouraging bus riders to write the new members of the Fort Collins City Council, working to make sure that bus riders are on transit related city committees, and making sure that old bus projects that were interrupted by the MAX project are not forgotten. Right now the group is working on a recommendation for bus stop standards.

Is Boulder City Government Really Working to Make Boulder More People Friendly?

East Boulder Stakeholder Meeting (55th and 63rd streets corridors)
Monday, May 4, 4 - 6 pm
Valmont Community Presbyterian Church
3261 61st Street
Boulder
Bus: None?

West Boulder Stakeholder Meeting (Folsom Streets and Iris Avenue)
Wednesday, May 6, 4 - 6 pm
Unity Spiritual Center
2855 Folsom Street
Boulder
Bus: None again?

So bus riders are not invited to meeting the will determine the experiences that bus riders have on Boulder streets.

Transportation Advisory Board Meeting
Re: Living Laboratory Phase II potential pilot programs
Monday, May 11 at 6 pm
Municipal Building, Council Chambers
1777 Broadway
Boulder
Bus: 204, 205, 225, DASH, SKIP, AB, all B buses, N

Transportation Advisory Board-hosted Open House
Wednesday, May 20, 4 - 6 pm
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
1720 13th Street
Boulder
Bus: JUMP

I wonder how easy the stakeholder meetings are to get to by bike.

An Opportunity to Oppose the Widening of I-70?

Wednesday, April 29 at 6:30
Garden Place Elementary School
4425 Lincoln Street
Denver
Bus: 8 (Get off as soon as the bus crosses I-25. It will cross I-70 before the next stop.)

This group may be mainly concentrating on pushing their own alternative plan, but it could be a good place to meet people who are concerned about highway widening.

April Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday, April 21at 5:30 pm

RTD Offices, Basement

1600 Blake

Denver

Bus: Free Mall Ride, 0, 6, 20, 28, 32

It looks like almost every committee is giving a report. Should be a good meeting to find out what is happening with RTD. Each meeting now has its own webpage which you can read for more information.

Just a reminder. If you want to talk, you need to come at the beginning.

Joint Budget Committee May Vote on Southwest Chief Funding

Tuesday, April 14, 2 pm or later

Joint Budget Committee Hearing Room

Legislative Service Building, 3rd Floor

200 East 14th Avenue

Denver

Bus: 15, 15L

Advocates will try to get a voice vote so that we can take those results back to constituents.

Southwest Chief is in the CO House Budget

By an overwhelming majority, the Colorado House has put $1.5 million for track repairs in next years' budget. Now we find out if all the Republicans who voted for this did so because they thought it would die in the Senate.

One of the key legislators we need to convince is Kevin Grantham, the Senator who represents Cañon City. If you live in the area, please give him a call at 303-866-4877 and explain how better train service would help Colorado's small towns.

Fort Collins Transit Users Group Meets Today

Thursday, April 9, 6-7:15 pm
CSU Transit Center
Lory Student Center
8033 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins
Bus: free campus shuttle, 2, 6, 7, 31, 32, 33, 34, MAX

Mayor Hancock Monthly Town Hall

Affordablity in Denver

Saturday, April 18 at 9 to 11

Hill Middle School

451 Clermont

Denver

Bus: 40?

Rally on Last Day to Comment on Fare Changes

Rally to Oppose Fare Increases
Wednesday, April 8, 5 pm
RTD Administrative Offices
1600 Blake
Denver
Bus: Free Mall Ride, 0, 6, 20, 28, 32

There is more than one organization organizing rallies to oppose the fare increase, so there may be a rally at 5 pm and a rally at 5:15.

Please come out on Wednesday.

If you have not commented on the fare increases, you can do so through a form on the top right of the RTD Fare Study page: http://www.rtd-denver.com/fare-recommendation.shtml

(Don't sign the petition. It is to get money to widen I-70, not to get more money for buses and trains.)

Citizen Advisory Committee

Wednesday, March 18, 9 - 11:30 am

Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion

1635 Aurora Court

Aurora

Bus: 20 , 89

Also within walking distance of the 15.

There will be an update on the I-225 and East rail lines.

Meetings on Proposed US 36 Service Plan

Monday, March 16, 6pm
Boulder Public Library
1001 Arapahoe Avenue
Boulder
Bus: Jump, 205
Also within walking distance of most buses that head downtown.

Thursday, March 26, 6 pm
George Di Ciero City and County Building
One DesCombs Drive, Zang Spur Room
Broomfield
Bus: 51
The 128 runs here as well, but you would have to leave early.

Wednesday, April 1, 6 pm
Louisville Recreation Center
900 West Via Appia Way
Louisville
Bus: 228 (Last bus around 8:40 both directions.)
Also within walking distance of the DASH.

Thursday, April 2, 6 pm
City Park Recreation Center
10455 Sheridan Boulevard
Westminster
Bus: Within walking distance of the 51.

Monday, April 13, Noon
RTD Administrative Offices, Basement
1600 Blake
Denver
Bus: Free MallRide, 0, 6, 20, 28, 32, 44
Within walking distance of the 1, 9, 10, 15L

The report was a mess, but the website is more clear. http://www.rtd-denver.com/servicechanges-us36.shtml

I would like to see a little more service to Longmont and Louisville and a little less service on US 36. I am also concerned that there is not going to be enough connecting service to the BRT. Is Superior going to lose its service with the 228 reroute? Why are there no new connecting bus routes?

Colorado Senate committee advances Bill 176

by Rob Rynerson

By a vote of 5 to 2, the Local Government Affairs Committee of the Colorado Senate approved Senate Bill 176, a first step in advancing a State Assembly measure which sets up policies and financing for the Centennial State's share of improvements to the 'Southwest Chief' route through Southeastern Colorado. The Tuesday afternoon approval vote was bipartisan.

Senator Larry Crowder (R), a committee member and sponsor of the bill was joined in presenting it by Senator Leroy Garcia (D).

Members voting to advance the bill: Larry Crowder (R), John Kefalas (D), Kerry Donovan (D), Lucia Guzman (D), Beth Martinez Huminek (R).

Members voting against the bill: David Balmer (R), Vicki Marble (R).

Members who supported the bill generally shared ColoRail's view that the 'Southwest Chief' offers a unique service in an area of the state that is struggling economically and that with a reroute to serve
Pueblo, it is a building block toward Front Range service.

Senator Marble, who chaired the meeting, expressed during a break that her Northern Colorado constituents want money spent on highway improvements first.

Senator Balmer, representing part of Arapahoe County, was concerned about national issues and asked questions about the feasibility of defunding Amtrak completely.

FasTracks and Ski Train - Where do we stand?

Colorado Rail Passenger Association Winter Meeting

Saturday, February 29, 9am to noon

Denver Union Station, downstairs conference room

This is to the south of bus box on the other side of the Amtrak trains.

Buses: 0, 6, 20, B, L, AF (The list of routes is incomplete on Google Maps.)

Light rail lines E and W are a five to ten minute walk away.

Draft Agenda

9:00 am -- Meeting convenes
Fighting to Achieve ColoRail’s Goals -- Jim Souby, ColoRail president
Amtrak and the New Congress -- Invited: Joe McHugh, Vice President, Amtrak by video conference
Fast Tracks: Four Major New Lines Will Open in 2016 Including the Airport Train -- Richard Clarke, RTD Ass’t General Manager, Capital Projects
How the Millennials Will Revitalize Our Transportation System: More Bicycles, Buses, Cars to Go, and Trains Are In Our Future! -- Sylvia Brady, Jack Wheeler
12:00 pm   Adjourn

1-70 Conversation on Tuesday

Community discussion on the proposed I-70 project
Hosted by Councilwomen Ortega and Montero
Tuesday, February 24, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Bruce Randolph Middle School
3955 Steele Street
Denver
Bus: 24, 44

Rather than spending money to widen more roads, producing more pollution, and destroying more communities, we should spend this money keeping RTD fares low. http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27547776/poor-homless-sound-off-rtd-fares

Police Presence along the W line

Cops, Council and Community

Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 to 8:30

Clements Center, downstairs

1580 Yarrow

Lakewood

Bus: 16, 16L, 26, 28, 76

Representatives from Lakewood's police department will present crime statistics along the W line and discuss procedures when people don't have their fares.