RTD October Board Meeting

Tuesday, October 25 at 5:30 pm
Board of Directors Meeting
RTD Administrative Offices, Basement
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: 0, 20, 28, 32, 44
Free MallRide (separate stop)

As always the public can address the board for three minutes near the beginning of the meeting.

Candidate Forum for Denver area RTD candidates

RTD Candidate Forum
Tuesday, October 11, 6 to 8 pm
Mi Casa Resource Center
360 Acoma Street
Denver
Bus: 0 (on Broadway)
52 (on Bannock)

This forum is being hosted by 9 to 5 Colorado and Colorado Jobs with Justice. Dinner, childcare, and translation will be provided. The last time I was at this location it appeared to be accessible, but you can call Zoe at 303-628-0925 with any accessibility requests.

No info on the framework. Probably more progressive candidates.

I am especially interested in hearing from candidates from District A which is mostly Cherry Creek with an offshoot for downtown Denver. Currently, they have the least knowledgeable rep that has ever been on the board.

RTD service change meetings are a good place to talk to bus service planners

All meetings are at 6 pm except for an additional noon meeting at the RTD offices.

Monday, September 26
Stapleton Development Corp Community Hub
8230 Northfield Boulevard #1350 (next to Cowboys Saloon)
Denver
Bus: None close. 88 and 42 both three blocks away on separate streets.

Clements Center (look for sign near entrance)
1580 Yarrow Street
Lakewood
Bus: 16, 16L
The 76 is one block away, the W light rail is three blocks away, the 20 is four blocks away.


Thursday, September 29
Brighton Recreation Center
555 N. 11th Avenue, Room 101
Brighton
Bus: None

Ken Caryl Ranch House, Bradford Room
7676 S. Continental Divide Road
Jefferson County
Bus: Service on the 85 ends by 6:30.

Monday, October 3
Aurora Public Library, Large Community Room
14949 E. Alameda Parkway
Bus: 3, 6, 11 15L, 21, 130, 153, 157
Bus stops on Google may not be accurate and bus stops for some routes may have moved because of construction. Also, the Aurora Public Library is in different places on different maps. I will try to confirm where everything is.

Wednesday, October 5
Recreation Center at Southridge
4800 McArthur Ranch Road
Highlands Ranch
Bus: None

Thursday, October 6 at noon and 6 pm
Regional Transportation District Offices, basement
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: 0, 6, 20, 28, 32, 44

For more information click on RTD's Winter 2016 Service Changes Page

Anyone can make a public comment of up to 3 minutes as it relates to RTD's bus schedules, although people making comments on the schedules currently up for changes will be given priority.

Panel of candidates to represent Lakewood on the RTD board

City Council Ward 1 residents meeting
Saturday, August 20
Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church
920 Kipling Street
Bus: 100

Ramey Johnson and Charley Abe, Lakewood City Council members for Ward 1, are hosting a candidate forum. Candidates from Colorado State House Districts 23 and 28 along with candidates for RTD Board, District M will participate in this forum Natalie Menten is the current District M Board Member for District M which covers most of Lakewood. Max Tyler is the current state representative from District 23, but he is retiring. Brittany Pettersen is the current state rep for District 28.

Please note that city council wards, state legislative districts, and RTD districts all have different boundaries. It is possible to not live in Ward 1, but be voting for some of the candidates at this forum. For example, I used to live in Ward 2, and Max Tyler was my rep.

RTD District Boundaries Map (PDF)

August RTD Board Meeting

Tuesday, August 16 at 5:30 pm
RTD Administrative Offices
1600 Blake Street, basement
Denver
Bus: 0, 20, 28, 32, 44

As always, individuals can spend three minutes to addressing the board near the start of the meeting.

Bus Tour of North Denver Projects

Thursday, August 11 at 2:30 to 5 pm
North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative Bus Tour
starts and ends at National Western Complex
4655 Humboldt Street
Denver
Bus: 48


The tour is going to cover six projects: Globeville/Swansea Neighborhood Plans, National Western Reconstruction, Brighton Boulevard Redevelopment, River North, I-70 Reconstruction, RTD Station Development.

I still do not know exactly where in the National Western Complex the tour begins and ends, but I do know that you need to RSVP to 720-865-2839 or to ndcc@denvergov.org. The next tour may already be booked, but there are more tours scheduled for Wednesday, September 21 at 930 am and Thursday, October 13 also at 9:30 am.

If anyone goes on this tour, please let me know what happens. Is this a big ad for Denver projects?

Station Parties this Saturday

The B line has been running since Monday, so to celebrate there are going to be parties at Union Station and Westminster Station (71st Avenue & Hooker Street).

The Union Station party will be held along the commuter rail platform from 2 to 6 pm with games, music, and information about RTD. The Westminster Station party will run from 5:30 to 10 pm with a fireworks show at 9 pm. There will be a beer garden and carnival.

Both the A and B lines will be free from 5 am to 10 pm.

The 31 and the 72 are already serving Westminster Station.

(A reminder, what used to be called the Westminster Park-n-Ride is now called Sheridan Station.)

Train between Denver and Westminster opens on July 25

And two parties are planned at Westminster Station to celebrate.

Monday, July 25
B Line is free all day
10 am - Ribbon Cutting ceremony
11 am to 4 pm - Family event

Saturday, July 30
All trains are free today.
6 to 10 pm - More family fun with food, carnival games, a free concert ending with fireworks

For more information, visit the City of Westminster website: http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/CityGovernment/CommunityDevelopment/PlanningDivision/CommuterRail/WestminsterStation

Unfortunately, Westminster does not seem to realize that people who currently take trains and buses will be taking this train. Hopefully, that fact does not wreck B Line operations. The new train will run between Westminster Station (71st and Hooker) and Union Station. It is a commuter rail train like the train to the airport, not a light rail. The area may be served by the 31 bus but I don't think that the City of Westminster has thought about walkability or bikeability in the area.

Update: Apparently, the 31 and the 72 buses will serve this station.

The B Line also has its own page on the RTD website: http://www.rtd-denver.com/b-line.shtml

FHA is seeking comments on new rules for transportation spending

The Federal Highway Administration may start considering carbon emissions and other air quality standards when considering how to spend their money, but they are going to need a lot of support and pressure to take action. You can help make this happen by submitting a comment through the following page: https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FHWA-2013-0054

Just click the blue "Comment Now" button in the middle of the page. You can also read the proposed rule which is right next to it.

The FAA could do a better job of supporting rail to airports

The Federal Aviation Administration collects a Passenger Facility Charge from all airline passengers to help fund airport maintenance which currently includes maintenance of roads and rail lines on airport property. Under current rules, the FAA can also pay for roads and rail lines that connect to a single external location and are designed to be only used by airport employees and passengers. This works well for roads, you just have to connect to the nearest highway.

It works less well for rail lines. A rail line that only connects two stations often does not work for a train. If there is a rail line for the this line to connect to, every person needs to either change trains, change buses, or park their car first. And there may not be a rail line to connect to. If a locality can't get funding for airline workers and passengers from the FAA for rail projects, they are less likely to build a rail line in that area at all.

(via the Midwest High Speed Rail Association)

For more information here is the formal notice of rule change by the FAA: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/05/03/2016-10334/passenger-facility-charge-pfc-program-eligibility-of-ground-access-projects-meeting-certain-criteria

It includes a link to make a comment. Here is mine:

I support the changes that the FAA has proposed to amend this policy to allow rail lines that connect multiple locations to use money from the airport facility charge program to build connections to airports and to extend lines beyond airports that already have rail connections. The FAA should consider paying for rail that is slightly outside the bounds of airport land in cases where doing so would save the FAA money.


(via the Midwest High Speed Rail Association)

Another Chance to Oppose Highway Widening

Public Hearing before the State Transportation Commission
Thursday, April 21, 9 am
2nd Floor
CDOT Headquarters
4201 East Arkansas Avenue
Denver
Bus: 40, 46

According to activist reports, the State Transportation Commission will be deciding whether to include the I-70 East Project (Central 70) in the State Transportation Improvement Program. If we can stop the I-70 East Project from being included in the state plan, we can stop the state from spending money on it. If you would like to testify at the hearing, you need to notify Jamie Collins by 5 pm Monday, April 18 at Jamie.Collins@state.co.us

The Commissioners will also be considering a grant to Winter Park to build a platform for train passengers. This is part of the effort to bring back the ski train.

You can also contact your commissioner directly. You can find a map of the districts and contact info at https://www.codot.gov/about/regions.html

Update: The Winter Park Ski Train got the grant: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2016/04/21/winter-park-ski-train-receives-grant-that-could.html

RTD April Board Meeting

Tuesday, April 19, 5:30 pm
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: 0, 20, 28, 32, 44
Free Mall Shuttle

I am going to have look up new bus information for the next meeting. Hopefully, there will be more buses, not less.

No information yet on what is going to be on the agenda.

Know Your Route Meetings

There are two more "Know Your Route Meetings".

Saturday, April 9, 11 am - 1 pm
The Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver
4397 Crown Boulevard
Denver
Bus: 43, 45

Saturday, April 16, 11 am - 1 pm
Whittier Neighborhood Center
2900 Downing Street, Suite 1B
Denver
Bus: 12, 28, 38, 43
Light Rail: D Line

The last meeting is the most accessible if you do not live in northeast Denver. There is not outreach planned for other parts of Denver.

Basically, buses that ran from one end of the metro area to another are now going to be shorter. Some will end downtown with new routes serving northeast Denver. Some routes, like the 44 and the 38, will not run as far east.

The info available on Google maps is currently in flux and may not be accurate for a month or two.

This change is being made to better serve the A Commuter Rail Line. Hopefully, the rail line will make it easier to travel through the northeast.

Commerce City/72nd Avenue Station Groundbreaking

Celebration of North Metro Rail Line
Thursday, March 31, 1:30 pm
70th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard
Commerce City
Bus:

There was supposed to be a station plan attached to the announcement, but that led to a 404 error code page. There is also no contact information on the announcement.

RTD Board meets the end of March

RTD Board of Directors Meeting
March 29 at 5:30
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: 0, 6, 20, 28, 32, 44
Free Mall Ride

The Board is meeting later in the month than usual. They may discuss the renovation of Civic Center Station. Let's bring back the bus rider oriented snack shop! (I need to find a snappier way to say that.)

Are you interested in learning more about how RTD operates?

There are five vacancies on the RTD Citizens Advisory Committee. This was supposed to be a way for citizens in the Denver area to make sure that the FasTracks money was spent in accordance with voters interests. That has not happened, but the committee meetings are a good way to find out what is happening with RTD, especially with the new rail lines. This can be useful it can be hard to get answers to certain questions.

Applications can be submitted to Lessly.Leon@rtd-denver.com or mailed to RTD FasTracks, c/o Leesly Leon, 1560 Broadway, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202. Applications should include a brief statement of interest, qualifications for advising RTD on its actions, and a resume and are due by March 31, 2016.

Preference will be given to people who demonstrated interest in transit, are committed to the current power structure, and live in a district with no current rep or belong to a demographic group that is underrepresented.

Meetings are held quarterly. The next meeting should be held in the middle of March, but no date has been announced yet.

My letter to Colorado Senators about funding rail

$2.24 billion for rail was approved by Congress as part of the FAST Act. This represents a meaningful increase from the $1.39 billion enacted for Amtrak for FY 2016, but falls far short of the $7 to $9 billion a year recommended by the National Surface Transportation Policy & Revenue Study Commission, appointed by President George W. Bush.

We need this money to bring the Southwest Chief to Pueblo. This money may also go to improving rail in Missouri and California, making the train an even more attractive transportation option.

Republican governors are also working to bring rail back to the southeastern coast.

So this money NEEDS to be in the budget.

The National Association of Rail Passengers is requesting Congress fund the FAST Act programs at the following level:

--Amtrak – General Operating: $649.9
--Amtrak – General Capital : $920.4 (funding new tracks to Pueblo)
--Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements: $300.0
--Federal State Partnership for State of Good Repair: $250.0
--Restoration & Enhancement Grants: $100.0
--Amtrak OIG: $20.5
--Total: $2,240.8

On average every dollar invested in rail and improvements yields a three-dollar return to the economy of the surrounding community. In Colorado, this would be an investment in our small towns, towns that are often overshadowed by investments in Denver.

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response.

(This letter is partly based on a template from the National Association of Rail Passengers. You can go here to submit a letter through their site: http://cqrcengage.com/narp/app/onestep-write-a-letter?3&engagementId=177153)

Why Widening I-70 is a Bad Idea

There are three reasons to oppose the I-70 east widening project:

We don't have the money. CDOT has not able to find the money to finish the Wadsworth and US 6 interchange, a much cheaper project. Several businesses were destroyed and the land has been left empty for months. If CDOT cannot find a much smaller amount of money for a project that has local support, how is the agency going to find $2 billion for a project that the local community, and much of the rest of Colorado, hates.

Even if we had the $2 billion, this would not be a good waste of money. Cities much bigger than ours get along fine without 23 lane highways. We need money for better schools. We need money for better and more affordable housing. We need money for more buses and trains.

Widening the highway here would undercut transit investments in the surrounding neighborhoods. We are bringing commuter rail to the area. We should be bringing in more and better rail to support this new service.

There are so many reasons to not widen I-70 that I don't even understand why we are considering it.

CDOT is widening Wadsworth

CDOT is widening Wadsworth between Highland Drive (8th Avenue) and West 10th Avenue and they are having one public meeting during a work day to let people know about this.

Friday, January 29, 2 pm
Lakewood Civic Center
Council Chambers (this is on the right side when you come up from the bus)
480 S. Allison Parkway
Lakewood
Bus: 1, 3, 11, 14, 76
If you are coming by train, you can take the 76 from Wadsworth Station (W Line) or you can take the 3 from the Federal Center Station (W Line) or from Alameda Station (every other rail line). The council chambers are above the bus stop, and there is an elevator that is slightly hidden.

This widening is to accommodate the new interchange at US36. There is no info provided on the format of the meeting or its likely duration.

For more information call 888-759-6197, option 1 or email wadsworthHighlandto10th@gmail.com.

If you get any additional information, please feel free to let us know in the comments.

What do you think about BRT on Colfax Avenue?

Public Meetings Scheduled to Discuss Bus Rapid Transit for Colfax Avenue

Wednesday, January 20, 5:30-7:30 pm (presentation at 6)
Knights of Columbus Hall
1555 Grant Street
Denver
Bus: 15, 15L (The 6 and 16 also stop across the street just before they turn to head south. The 10 and the 20 are also within walking distance.)

Thursday, January 21, 5:30-7:30 pm (presentation at 6)
North Middle School
12095 Montview Boulevard
Aurora
Bus: 20, 89, 121 (at two different stops)

The City of Denver may build BRT along Colfax. This has the potential to be a good idea if it is planned well. We need to keep the well-being of the people of Denver and Aurora kept in mind. But is this really about widening Colfax? Does the City of Denver really understand what frequent service is? Are any other bus routes going to be improved?

A fellow bus rider who also has experience encouraging people to go to meetings and comment is concerned that not enough bus riders have been involved in this process. So if you can, please go to this meeting. And tell us what you think of the City of Denver's plans in the comments here or by sending us a message.

FLEX Runs Free This Week

On Monday, the FLEX starts to run between Boulder and Fort Collins during rush hour, so the route is celebrating with a work week of free rides. Starting Monday, January 18, the first day of service to Boulder, through Friday, January 22, all FLEX buses are free. The fare goes back to $1.25 on Saturday as those buses continue to only run between Longmont and Fort Collins.

This would be a good week to schedule a job interview out of town as the trip is free. Also, just ride the bus and see if the free Wifi is any good.

Here are schedules: http://www.ridetransfort.com/img/site_specific/uploads/FLEX.pdf

Public Hearings on Widening I-70 in Denver

Monday, February 1, 5:00 pm
North Middle School
12095 Montview Blvd
Aurora
Bus: 20 (on Montview), 121 (on Peoria)

Tuesday, February 2, 5:00 pm (THIS MEETING WAS CANCELLED)
Adams City High School
7200 Quebec Pkwy
Commerce City
Bus: none?
May be within walking distance of the 48

Wednesday, February 3, 5:00 pm
Bruce Randolph Middle School
3955 Steele Street
Denver
Bus:

Presentations will be at 6:00 pm followed by a public comments. I am not sure if you can comment if you cannot be there for the public comment period. There was no information about commenting online in the notice although this should be possible. The places where you can read the EIS is also not online even though it is supposed to be.

The final EIS is online at http://www.i-70east.com/reports.html, although not in an easily readable format. The reports should be printed out and be available to read in person starting Friday, January 15, and I assume that comment forms will also be provided.

For more information about this project: http://www.coloradoindependent.com/156881/highway-injustice-in-denvers-latino-neighborhoods

For an example of why road widening is not a good idea: Houston spent $2.8 billion on road expansion and traffic slowed by 30%.

RTD Board Meets on January 19

Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, January 19, 5:30
1600 Blake Street
Denver
Bus: 0, 6, 20, 28, 32, 44 (stops on 15th)
Free Mall Ride (stops on 16th)

No info yet on the topics to be discussed. As always, anyone can address the board at the beginning of the meeting. Public comments can be up to three minutes long.

A Line Opens Aprill 22 (Review of January East Rail Line Newsletter)

I have been thinking of writing the RTD Board with my reactions to the various attempts to keep people up to date with the FasTracks project. Communications with bus and train riders have improved some because some people, including me, complained. There is still some improvements that need to be made. Many of the contractors think they are writing construction porn rather than providing information for bus and train riders. Many forget that people walk and ride bikes, and that not everyone drives everywhere all the time.

To this edition of the East Rail Line Report. The East Rail Line has officially been renamed the A Line, and will open April 22. Trains are already running as drivers are being trained and trains are being tested. Drivers will blow the train horns during testing as quiet zones do not come into operation until everything is fully operational.

Benches and signs are being installed at the stations as we speak. Does anyone know if either is likely to be adequate?

You can read the full report by clicking here: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/ec_44. A link to get the reports by email is at the top of the page.