Re: Jan. 18 Jeremy Meyer column.
The Denver Post plays an important role in helping to frame important issues for the public, including those involving the Regional Transportation District. However, this column badly misrepresented the facts about our U.S. 36 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Northwest Rail projects.
Both of these projects were and still are part of RTD’s FasTracks transit expansion plan approved by the region’s voters in 2004. Since then, RTD has been implementing FasTracks despite the economic challenges of the Great Recession. While we are opening the FasTracks-funded U.S. 36 BRT service next year, our biggest challenge is building out the remainder of the Northwest Rail Line. We are now building the first segment to Westminster that will also open next year, and the rest will be built as funds become available.
In acknowledgment of that lag, RTD led a very successful Northwest Area Mobility Study last year through which area stakeholders and RTD came to consensus on additional BRT routes to provide a more near-term benefit for our northwest constituents. We will be building six additional BRT lines, among them, along highways 119 and 287. These BRT projects are not instead of Northwest Rail, but in addition to the rail line and U.S. 36 BRT.
There are many components of BRT that contribute to a quicker, more reliable bus trip, including stations — not just regular bus stops — with enhanced shelters featuring canopies and electronic information signs.
RTD and our partners along U.S. 36 have selected the name and brand of the “Flatiron Flyer” for our new BRT service that opens next year. In addition, RTD will open four rail lines: the East Line to the airport, the Gold Line to Arvada/Wheat Ridge, the I-225 Rail Line through Aurora, and the first segment of Northwest Rail to Westminster. The first segment of the North Metro Line will open less than two years later.
So, there’s no “bus instead of rail” opening next year, but both the first segment of Northwest Rail and a new brand of bus service. And the only “fast one” RTD will be pulling is providing you with a quicker trip from point A to point B.
Phillip A. Washington is general manager and CEO of the Regional Transportation District.
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