State advisers say starter Front Range passenger rail is financially feasible with existing fees; local funding gap remains

Summary

State advisers told the Broomfield City Council that a “joint service” starter passenger rail between Denver and Longmont could begin service in 2029 using existing state fees and RTD contributions, but local leaders would need to decide whether to fill a remaining funding gap for operations and debt service.

Brandon Schafer, a special adviser for passenger rail and transit, and Barrick Abramson, a consultant on the joint study, told the Broomfield City Council that a starter Front Range passenger rail "starter service" — three round trips a day from Denver Union Station to Longmont — could be put into operation in 2029 using currently authorized funding streams and interagency agreements.

The presenters said the joint approach would use one operator, a single access agreement with BNSF and a single route that largely follows RTD’s Bee Line, and would be governed initially by an intergovernmental agreement administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). "By having one operator … we reduce inefficiencies, make it easier for all of the parties involved to coordinate, and ensure that this service is frequent and reliable," Schafer said.

Abramson and Schafer presented cost estimates and funding assumptions. They summarized the capital estimate at about $885 million (including a 30% contingency at study stage) and an annual revenue…

State advisers say starter Front Range passenger rail is financially feasible with existing fees; local funding gap remains

Summary

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