Regional Transportation District directors on Thursday voted to explore an independent audit after learning agency managers diverted train cars intended to serve northwest Denver to bolster A-Line service between Union Station and Denver International Airport.
The issue arose after RTD announced that B-Line and G-Line trains linking downtown with west metro Denver soon could run twice as frequently as they have for the past five years — at no extra cost. That led RTD directors to seek an explanation and wonder whether RTD could impose penalties or seek reimbursement for train service the agency paid contractor Denver Transit Partners for but that residents didn’t receive.
This week RTD chief executive and general manager Debra Johnson sent a memo to directors confirming the agency reduced the B-Line and G-Line rail service in April 2020 during the pandemic. Johnson said agency managers ordered DTP in December 2023 to move B and G line cars and operators to the A-Line, which was done in January 2024.
RTD deputy chief operations officer for rail Dave Jensen on Thursday characterized the change as “a swap of equipment, which was a better way to go, without revising the contract.” The contract obligated DTP to provide the B and G line service.
Johnson said “RTD has no grounds to seek reimbursement” because agency officials instructed DTP to make the shift.
“Why didn’t we switch it back sooner? What’s the impact going to be now on the A-Line service?” RTD director Chris Nicholson asked before an agency audit committee meeting Thursday.
At the audit committee meeting, directors voted unanimously to authorize the agency’s chief audit executive to look into the arrangement and recommend in April whether a full independent audit is warranted.
RTD director Cindy Arcuri said the investigation should include a review of monthly payments made to DTP during the six-year period when service was reduced and whether agency officials previously considered restoring B and G line service.
The RTD’s proposed restoration of commuter train service to northwest metro Denver would start in June, if the directors approve.
Since April 2020, G-Line trains to Arvada and the have run every 30 minutes, and B-Line trains to Westminster have run once per hour.
