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RTD Officials Propose Service Reductions Amid Operator Shortage

Amanda Andrews
/
KUNC
A sign lists the Wewatta St. transit options near Union Station in downtown Denver.

Officials with the Regional Transportation District have announced a plan for service reductions to offer more consistent route operations.

Scheduled route adjustments take place each year in January, May and August.

RTD public relations manager Tina Jaquez said changes include consolidating routes, adjusting schedules and addressing demand. Jaquez said they first proposed service reductions in October to deal with ongoing delays and cancellations caused by the operator shortage.

Miranda Bard uses the bus to commute to Denver. Bard said she’s learned to leave early, but even then she’s been left in the cold.

“I’d say more so than delayed, it’s been much more crowded,” Bard said. “I take the 10 bus so there’s a lot of professionals commuting to downtown. Often the bus will pass us by because it’s too full, or there won’t be a seat, or it’s pretty packed standing.”

In contrast, some riders haven’t seen any delays. Sonja Shearron has been riding the bus in Denver for 20 years. She says, outside of construction detours, her bus runs on time.

“I’m on a route that primarily services the community the suburban area of seniors and disabled people, so the service on my route is very good,” Shearron said.

The full list of proposed RTD service cuts is available online along with the upcoming RTD service changes which go into effect Jan. 12.

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