The closing of bus lines in the western suburbs to make way for the W light rail line in late April should have been handled differently, the executive director of the Regional Transportation District said Tuesday night.
“Some lessons have been learned,” said Phil Washington to members of the RTD board.
At least six express bus routes and other bus services were altered to make way for the W Line, which runs from Denver Union Station to Golden.
The move angered several passengers, who said the rail service was a poor substitute for bus routes they had used for years. Many signed petitions to get their old routes back and in a some cases, their efforts have paid off.
Three routes eliminated by the W Line — 87X, 100X and 116X — are being reinstated. Other service changes will be discussed in a series of public meetings in June.
Washington said complaints about lost service almost always follow the opening of a new rail or bus service. But in the case of the W Line, riding patterns needed more review and more notice should have been given to riders that their old routes were being discontinued.
“We know there is a lot of concern out there,” Washington said, adding that the W Line experience will help head off problems when other parts of the FasTracks system open.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907, mwhaley@denverpost.com or
