Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Service Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RTD plans system optimization, bids COA consultant this year; microtransit partnership expands across district
Summary
RTD said it will refresh its comprehensive operational analysis this year and expects an 18‑month public process; the agency also discussed microtransit pilot expansion and a $2 million seed grant program for subregional partners and said bus service hours are near 88% of pre‑COVID levels.
Denver ' RTD officials told Denver City Council's Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Jan. 21 that the agency will refresh its long‑range service plan this year and run a short‑term system optimization (comprehensive operational analysis, or COA) bid process that aims to produce an 18‑month public engagement and planning effort.
CEO Deborah Johnson said RTD's Reimagine RTD initiative is a long‑range effort to 2050; the near‑term system optimization plan looks ahead about five years and will be reissued this summer with a new COA consultancy bid in the fall. The agency plans broad public outreach similar to its fare and equity studies and intends to incorporate land‑use changes and activity centers into service planning.
On microtransit, Worthen and Director Michael Guzman said RTD now operates micromobility or microtransit in 21 service areas across the district and runs a partnership program that provides seed funding and technical support to subregional councils. Guzman said the partnership model allows jurisdictions to apply for subregional grants; RTD has set aside about $2 million for seed money to test and expand microtransit and first‑/last‑mile connections.
Worthen said microtransit works best in low‑density areas where traditional fixed‑route buses are expensive to operate and where curb‑to‑curb service can better meet rider needs. "We actually have 21 micro transit areas where we operate service throughout the district itself," Worthen said. RTD staff said microtransit can serve as a proving ground for corridors that could later be upgraded to bus service if demand justifies it.
On bus service restoration, Worthen said the agency currently operates roughly 88% of pre‑COVID service hours on the bus side and intends to reallocate service hours based on updated travel patterns and Title VI equity analyses. Johnson noted roughly 15% of transit ridership across the U.S. has not returned since the pandemic and said Colorado ranks high for remote work, complicating direct comparisons to other regions.
Why it matters: RTD's COA refresh and microtransit seed program signal an agency shift toward data‑driven restoration and targeted local partnerships; council members asked staff to share routes and outreach contacts so they can pass constituent concerns to RTD service planners.
Ending: RTD said detailed service plans will be shared as the COA refresh proceeds and encouraged council offices to pass neighborhood feedback to RTD's service planning team.
