RTD System Optimization Plan
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The RTD System Optimization Plan (SOP) is one of the results of the agency’s two year ‘Reimagine RTD’ effort to completely review its bus & rail network, against the current tight financial situation. More information can be found here.
The SOP, which was approved by the RTD Board of Directors on July 26th, 2022, targets a reinstatement of approx. 85% of RTD service levels that were provided before the COVID-19 pandemic. Clearly this means the plan is not going to significantly help with inducing a large scale modal shift to public transit unless funding for RTD is increased.
RTD Service Changes
The changes are anticipated to be implemented within the next five years during the regular service change process, which takes place three times a year, usually in Winter, Spring and Fall. Public meetings are held in the run up to service changes, however you can always leave a comment for RTD staff.
Our View…
Greater Denver Transit understands the current financial situation that is affecting RTD and why the System Optimization Plan has been produced. That said:
– Many of the increases in service proposed are simply reinstatements of service which was withdrawn before or during the COVID-19 pandemic.
– The plan contains very few new ideas for service and doesn’t respond to the development that has happened in the Denver Metro region in recent years.
– The plan is not going to significantly help with inducing a large scale modal shift to public transit unless funding for RTD is increased.
The following slides break down the changes proposed for the RTD network into five service types which have similar characteristics such as frequency and span of service (time between first and last trips):
Light rail and commuter rail routes that create a backbone of rail service that many bus routes and other services connect to.
The Good
– G Line service frequency increased to 15min.
– All W Line trains extended to Jefferson County Government Center Station with a 15min frequency.
– Subject to funding, aspiration is to increase service frequency on the D, E & H Lines to 10min.
– Subject to funding, aspiration is to increase service frequency on R Line to 15min & extend all trains to Ridgegate Parkway.
The Bad
– Regular C & F Line services are withdrawn, these lines will only operate for special events.
– N Line service frequency remains at 30min.
Routes serving the region’s largest employment centers, highest density housing, and major trip generators with a demonstrated demand for a minimum of an 18 hour span of service, 15-minute peak period and midday frequency, and service seven days per week. Examples: Flatiron Flyer, 15, 30/31.
The Good
– 3 Alameda Ave split at Alameda Station. Service west of Alameda Station will be provided by new route 3W, with frequency increased to 15min.
– 21 Evans Ave split at Evans Station. Service west of Evans Station will be provided by new route 21W, with frequency increased to 15min.
– Service east of Evans Station will be provided by new route 3E, with frequency increased to 15min.
– 15 East Colfax Ave extended to Colfax / Piccadilly with a 30min service frequency. 7-8min service frequency reinstated west of Colfax / Oneida.
– 15L East Colfax Ave service frequency reinstated to 7-8min. Route will now start from Union Station.
– 16 West Colfax Ave split at Oak Station, service west of Oak Station to Golden will be provided by new route 16G, with a reinstated 15min service frequency.
– 30 & 31 combine between Federal / Decatur station & Federal / Hampden to provide an increased 7-8min service frequency.
– 30 Federal Blvd service frequency increased to 15mins.
– 40 Colorado Blvd service frequency increased between Colorado & Southmoor stations to 15min along the whole route.
– 51 Sheridan Blvd service frequency between Arvada Good Strike station & Dartmouth / Sheridan increased to 15mins.
– 73 Quebec St service frequency increased to 15mins.
– 76 Wadsworth Blvd split into two stopping patterns, with service frequency between Olde Town Arvada station & Lakewood Commons increased to 15mins.
– 83D Cherry Creek / Parker Rd service increased to all day with a 30min frequency.
– 83D & 83L combine between Civic Center Station & Quebec St to provide an increased 15min service frequency.
– 105 Havana St service frequency increased to 15mins.
– 153 Chambers Rd service frequency between Peoria station & Arapahoe Crossings increased to 15mins.
– FF2, FF3 & FF3 Flatiron Flyer service patterns reinstated.
– DASH Boulder / Lafayette via Louisville service frequency increased to 15mins.
The Bad
– 12 Downing service frequency reduced from 30mins to 60mins south of Alameda Ave at weekends.
– 16 West Colfax Ave service frequency reduced to 15mins east of Oak Station.
– 30L, which provided limited stop service on Federal Blvd, is withdrawn.
– 51 Sheridan Blvd service to Englewood station is withdrawn.
– 105 Havana St trips south of Southmoor station to Ulster / Tufts are withdrawn.
Local bus routes with a minimum 14-hour span of service (6AM to 8PM). Examples: 100, 24, 92.
The Good
– 1 First Ave section east of Civic Center station taken over by Route 44. Service frequency increased to 30mins.
– Service east of Alameda Station will be provided by new route 3E, with frequency increased to 30min.
– 7 North Washington St replaces route 12 north of 38th / Blake station with a 30min frequency. Trips alternate between 112th Northglenn station & Denver Premium Outlets.
– 10 East 12th Ave service east of Rose Medical Center to Aurora Plaza reinstated.
– 19 North Pecos St service extended north of 106th / Melody to 112th / Northglenn station with a 30min frequency.
– 24 University Blvd is split into two overlapping routes. Service frequency increased to 30mins with a 15min frequency between University station & University / Hampden.
– 28 28th Ave service frequency between Wadsworth & 30th / Downing increased to 30mins.
– 31 service north of Clear Creek station is replaced by 31N, frequency increased to 30mins, route extended to US36 / Broomfield station.
– 32 32nd Ave service frequency increased to 30mins.
– 35 Hampden Ave service east of Englewood station to Nine Mile station reinstated with a 30min frequency.
– 43 MLK Ave diverted to Federal / Decateur station.
– 44 44th Ave service frequency increased to 30mins.
– 49 Commerce City / Colorado Blvd service frequency increased to 30mins.
– 53 N Sheridan Blvd / Broomfield reinstated with service provided to Broomfield Hall.
– 72 72nd Ave service frequency increased to 30mins.
– 80 80th Ave reinstated between Olde Town Arvada & Original Thornton / 88th stations with a 60min service frequency.
– 100 Kipling St service frequency between Federal Center & Arvada Ridge stations increased to 30mins.
– 104 W 104th Ave reinstated between Church Ranch Blvd & Thornton Crossroads / 104th station with a 60min service frequency.
– 131 Nine Mile / E Iliff Ave reinstated between Nine Mike station & Dunkirk St / Flanders Wy with a 30min service frequency.
– 169 Buckley Rd Crosstown service frequency increased to 30mins. Route deviated to service Aurora Metro Center.
The Bad
– 35 Hampden Ave service south of Hampden / Wadsworth to Southwest Plaza withdrawn.
– 43 MLK Avenue service frequency decreased to 30mins.
– 99 Federal Center / S Kipling St service frequency decreased to 60mins.
– Dick’s Sporting Goods Park has no RTD bus service.
Community-focused local routes with custom-built span of service, frequency, and days of service to meet local needs. Examples: 16th Street Mall Ride, Longmont local routes, Boulder local routes, 402L, FlexRide services, demand response partnerships.
The Good
– 44 Elyria / Swansea / Alameda is diverted to Alameda station & takes over part of route 1 with service increased to 30mins.
– 9 9th Ave service frequency increased to 30mins.
– 37A Sand Creek Industrial takes over 37 Smith Rd Industrial service west of Central Park station to 40th / Colorado station. It will operate as a fixed route but the ability to deviate to locations within a short distance from the alignment.
– New route 50 Central Park / Anschutz will operate between Central Park & Colfax stations with a 30min service frequency.
– Route 77 Ken Caryl Ave is restated between Littleton Downtown station & Coal Mine Ave / Bowles Ave with a 60min service frequency.
– 88L Thornton / Commerce City service frequency increased to 30mins.
New route 114 Church Ranch / Wagon Rd will operate with a 60min service frequency.
– 228 Louisville / McCaslin extended to Arapahoe & 95th with a 60min service frequency.
– New route 328 Ken Pratt Blvd East will operate between the proposed 1st / Coffman transit center & Longmont Walmart with a 30min service frequency.
– FreeMetroRide to be reinstated.
The Bad
– 20 20th Avenue peak service west of Wadsworth Blvd to the National Renewable Energy Lab is withdrawn.
– 326 France St / Hover St service frequency decreased to 60min.
Regional bus with limited stop spacing focused on serving a unique travel market (e.g., downtown workforce, Denver International Airport workforce and travelers). Examples: SkyRide, P, LX.
The Good
– RX Brighton / Denver will start from 72nd Commerce City station & will run all day on weekdays & Saturdays. This will now be the main way to get from Brighton to Denver.
– AB2 Boulder / DEN Junction is reinstated with a 60min service frequency, when combined with AB, this will give a 30min frequency from the airport to Boulder.
– 122X Wagon Rd / Civic Center Stn is reinstated, providing peak hour trips.
– GS Golden / Boulder is reinstated, providing peak hour service.
– LX2 Longmont / Denver is reinstated, providing peak hour service.
– JUMP X Boulder / Lafayette introduced, providing peak hour service.
– 169L will serve Aurora Metro Center & 40th / Airport – Gateway Park stations.
The Bad
– 169L trips to Smokey Hills Rd & Pheasant Run Pkwy are withdrawn.