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I’m running to represent District A on RTD’s Board because public transit is as important to people’s lives as hospitals, libraries, schools and jobs. I care deeply about this!
People like Adriano rely on RTD to get to work and school on time. They place their trust in the service that RTD is supposed to provide. How sad for us all, that they’re disappointed so often!
“I just wish it was a little easier. We’re hanging in there, trying to get by.”
We need a transit system whose capable management is determined to set the gold standard for public transportation and has the funding to do so.
How can we be a great city without great public transit?
In a great city you’d arrive at a stop, get picked up in 15 minutes or less, and be whisked off to your next destination. Connections would be efficient.
I’ve got on-the-ground experience with the issues. Unlike certain candidates, I have the respect of key legislators. I’m also not afraid to say what I see.
I see dwindling ridership numbers, consistently poor frontline employee retention and an ongoing attempt to willfully mislead taxpayers, legislators and the press. We need facts, not fudge!
It’s a proven fact that more highway lanes bring more cars bring worse traffic brings filthy air brings extreme weather.
I’m not ashamed to drive a car occasionally. I also ride RTD. People tend to choose their own best option. Our truly transit-dependent riders’ good faith has been sorely tested by RTD.
RTD has a responsibility to become everyone’s best option. Riding transit shouldn’t be a personal sacrifice. Let’s get there together!
Rapid Transit Offers a Better Future
While gathering signatures to get my name on the November 5th ballot, I heard many people express their dissatisfaction with RTD. Often, they’d been to cities with robust transit systems that deliver great service.
Most wish RTD would step up its game and questioned why we don’t have the same in Denver. The fact that bus or light-rail trips can take more than twice as long as driving has pushed would-be RTD riders into buying cars.
A recent organizational design assessment commissioned by RTD offered a key recommendation – “Articulate a clear, compelling, and inspiring vision for RTD’s future and ensure that all employees understand how they can contribute to the agency’s success.”
Ridership’s steep (~ 40%) decline stems from the public’s perception of an unsafe, unreliable service. Management can’t identify solutions without first recognizing and admitting to problems. They shouldn’t ignore or deny issues, especially while feeling under siege! Let’s get there together!
In my view, management is overly concerned with controlling the public’s perception of RTD’s image. The agency’s image is only as good as its service. Or as bad. Fix the service problems and the image improves.
Transportation ranks at the top of the list of greenhouse gas emitting sources. Personal transportation is the number two expense on household budgets.
RTD has a small army of brand ambassadors – the bus drivers and light-rail operators whose service is the product that RTD offers. If they feel cared about, content and safe, riders will sense that, and feel the same way.
That’s one way to increase ridership, along with safe, reliable rapid transit.
Rapid Transit Offers a Better Future
I saw both cruelty and kindness when I was driving an RTD bus. The job presents many opportunities to witness and practice kindness.
We need more people riding and an increased emphasis on the STAR model. Police shouldn’t treat social problems as criminal matters.
Violent behavior is never acceptable. It’s never acceptable that people are exposed to illicit drug use or intimidated when riding RTD. I plan to explore Harm Reduction Action Center’s work to reduce the harms of drug use.
RTD provides service in municipalities whose police only engage after incidents occur. We need proactive, community-based police work.
The bad actors recognize gaps in security and exploit them, consistently, putting front-line employees and riders at unnecessary risk. Let’s get there together!
In Manhattan, 38% of people, rich and poor, ride the subway. It’s a fast, frequent and reliable service whose relative safety is partly because so many ride. It’s the best way to move through the city.
We need to embrace a shift towards rapid transit and transit-oriented development. Dense, walkable, mixed-use development near transit attracts people and adds to vibrant, connected communities. RTD can spur partnerships to support affordable housing around transit.
Frequent rapid transit requires more drivers/light-rail operators requires better pay requires funding requires honoring transit workers.
RTD should lead the way, with policies that encourage and support healthy, productive living, through public transit. We also need to prioritize pedestrian dignity, with safe, reliable and efficient transit. Let’s get there together!
Rapid Transit Offers a Better Future
RTD has lost the trust and faith of taxpayers, the primary source of its budget. Whenever an issue becomes newsworthy, it seems that the agency adopts a “nothing to see here” approach, stonewalling the press.
The last sentence in a recent Denver Post article concerning a fatality was: “RTD did not respond to multiple requests for comment.” As ongoing service failures regularly disrupt riders’ lives, the agency appears callous.
Small wonder then, that legislators took notice and now plan continued hearings focused on corrective actions. Management must be held accountable. Directors, where are you? Let’s get there together!
As Director, I’ll work with Legislators, Council Members & other Directors to:
If we can choose rapid transit over adding highway lanes, we might avoid Houston’s fate, where the Katy Highway has twenty-eight congested lanes of traffic! Doesn’t that sound like the highway to hell?
Rapid Transit Offers a Better Future
What impact will a million new residents living here by 2040 have on traffic? I-25 is already approaching capacity, leading to frequent, regular delays.
The agency has an opportunity to rise to the challenge of making RTD transit services the obvious, more attractive choice. Appropriately funded improvements should move forward on an urgent basis.
RTD’s labor contract expires at the New Year. I fully support my ATU Brothers and Sisters’ struggle for a thrive able wage and better working conditions. What better way is there for RTD to solve its “People Power Problem”?
We ought to look at vehicle rightsizing. How many routes have 40-passenger buses carrying less than 10 passengers? Buses cost nearly a million dollars. Why not consider more frequent service using less costly 15-passenger vans with wheelchair lifts on certain fixed bus routes?
Van drivers don’t need as much training, wouldn’t earn as much as CDL Operators, and a CDL isn’t required for ATU membership. Time for creative leadership. Let’s get there together!
It’s wonderful those 19 and under ride free, couldn’t we also offer that to senior citizens?
With 140+ concerts annually attracting a million attendees, why not consider public transit to and from Red Rocks Amphitheater, underwritten by marketing partnerships? Some are looking to Vail’s Gondola system for inspiration – a practical, fun tourist attraction. And why not bring back Broncos Ride?
Opportunities for creative thinking and private funding partnerships can only begin to take root and flourish once RTD gets right. Let’s get there together!
Rapid Transit Offers a Better Future
