RTD-Denver's board eyes reduced rail service in May

The Regional Transportation District of Denver's (RTD) board yesterday agreed to advance a staff plan to temporarily reduce rail service in response to an ongoing shortage of light-rail operators. 

The proposal that RTD staff presented yesterday would allow the transit agency to build up its workforce, provide a more reliable service for riders and give some relief to operators that have been working overtime, RTD officials said in a press release.

The board agreed to move forward with the plan as part of its May 2020 service change process, which includes public input in mid-January and February. A full list of proposed service changes will be presented next month. 

In March, the staff will present a revised service plan to the board. If approved, the plan will be implemented in May.

The operator shortage has affected RTD’s ability to provide reliable service and has affected rail operators’ quality of life, RTD officials said. 

Many operators are required to work six days a week. Those with the least seniority are most frequently affected by mandated overtime, but the requirement often affects RTD’s most senior rail operators.

The proposals's objective is to better balance staffing with a service level that RTD can reliably deliver, agency officials said.