RTD announced Monday that it will once again roll its free MallRide shuttle down the 16th Street Mall starting Sunday, bringing to an end an unprecedented closure of the popular downtown bus service due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Regional Transportation District shut down the mall shuttle in early April as COVID-19 cases began to proliferate in Colorado and ridership on the agency’s trains and buses plummeted by 70%.
RTD also suspended all fares systemwide at the time but recently announced fares will be reinstated across all of its bus and train lines starting July 1. MallRide shuttles, probably the most familiar face of the sprawling transit agency, will be operating along the 16th Street Mall this week for staff training.
“We want our customers to know that we are all in this together, and as part of the community, RTD has faced the same challenges and uncertainties as they have during these extraordinary times, but we are here and ready to help the region get back on track with safety as our number one priority,” said RTD General Manager Paul Ballard.
A recent survey revealed that respondents were extremely reticent to return to public transit, given the ongoing health hazards posed by the virus. But RTD said Monday it would be be handing out hand sanitizer and face coverings to the public starting June 24 until the middle of July at various stations throughout the metro area.
All front-line RTD employees are required to wear masks and practice social distancing from passengers. Passengers are urged to wear masks as well.
