Denver RTD's A Line route served 5 million riders in first year

The Regional Transportation District of Denver's (RTD) University of Colorado A Line transported nearly 5 million riders in its first year of operation, the agency announced yesterday.

The line, which opened April 22, 2016, also recorded a year-to-date on-time performance rate of 89 percent.

"While RTD acknowledges that there have been some operational challenges on Denver's first commuter-rail line since it opened, ... we would like to honor the many achievements," agency officials said in a media advisory.

RTD on Friday will hold a "rider appreciation" ceremony to mark the A Line's first anniversary.

The line's operational challenges have included timing issues with grade crossing equipment, which has led RTD to place staff at 11 crossings along the route to control traffic, The Denver Post reported.