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Westminster councilors back quick staff letter opposing proposed RTD cuts to B Line
Summary
Councilors asked staff to draft a rapid-response letter opposing Regional Transportation District scenarios that would cut the B Line, citing reduced service frequency and falling ridership tied to hour-long headways.
Westminster councilors on July 20 directed staff to prepare a letter opposing proposed RTD service cuts that could eliminate the B Line serving Westminster.
Councilor Bridal asked the council to “help direct staff to write a letter of opposition to these cuts” ahead of an RTD board review scheduled July 28, saying the possible removal of the B Line would be “completely unthinkable and untenable.” The request prompted questions from other councilors about ridership data and the reasons for the proposed reductions.
Councilors and staff discussed possible causes of lower ridership, including the increase in headways to roughly one hour on some segments and broader budget constraints at RTD. One councilor noted that reduced frequency had contributed to declining ridership, calling it a “self‑inflicted” issue when agencies lengthen schedules. Staff agreed to pull additional ridership numbers and to prepare a draft letter for council review so the city could send it on a shortened timeline.
The council agreed by quick poll to direct staff to draft the letter; the poll was a procedural expression of support to bring the draft forward, not a final legislative action. Councilors also asked staff to consider using Westminster’s transit study to review metrics beyond raw ridership when evaluating service viability.
Next steps: staff will compile available RTD ridership and scenario data, draft a letter of opposition consistent with council direction, and present it for council approval prior to RTD’s board consideration.
