The Regional Transportation District has delayed a week’s worth of testing on its beleaguered announcement system at light-rail stations.
In tests earlier this week, the agency encountered software errors that prompted the decision to push back further testing until after the Democratic National Convention, said Rick Clarke, RTD’s senior manager for T-REX. “It’s been real frustrating waiting so long,” Clarke said. “It was a tough call to delay it a few more weeks, but I felt that I had to. But the next time, I’m fully expecting that it’s going to work accurately.”
The electronic signs at the rail stations are supposed to provide riders with real-time information, such as train arrivals. They were installed nearly two years ago but have never worked.
The department has been so frustrated with General Electric Co., its contractor, that it is withholding $5 million until the system works.
Clarke said he wants the system working in September. If not, he said, the department could “take some contractual action.”
Christopher Sanchez: 303-954-1698 or csanchez@denverpost.com
