[Colorado-talk] ** PROPOSED ** August Service Changes

[Gary Van Dorn]

RTD is proposing the below changes in Service in August, 2015.  

Route 0 – South Broadway
Minor schedule adjustments are proposed to improve connections with Routes 15 and 16 during late night periods in the Downtown area. No cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 1 – West 1st Avenue
An all-day vehicle is proposed to be added to Route 1, due to the proposal on the Route 26, which results in a break of the interline between Route 1 and 26. Anticipated cost impacts are estimated to be $165,300 annualized.

Route 1W – West 1st Avenue
In conjunction with the discontinuance of the Route 9 school tripper, it is proposed to reroute Route 1W to operate on Knox Ct between 6th Ave and 10th Ave, 10th Ave between Knox Ct and Decatur St, and Decatur St between 8th Ave and 10th Ave. The remaining route will be unchanged. Route 1W will be scheduled to arrive at West High School at 7:20am and depart at 3:40pm. Anticipated cost estimated to be $2,600 annualized.

Route 3L – East Alameda Limited
Minor schedule adjustments are proposed to improve on-time performance. No cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 6 – East 6th Avenue/ North Pecos
It is proposed to realign Route 6 to stay on Navajo St between 32nd Ave and 34th Ave.  Drainage has been improved in this area and the street is no longer a hazard in freezing temperatures. No cost impacts anticipated.

Route 8 – North Broadway / Huron
It is proposed to return the southbound terminal of Route 8 to 13th/Welton during weekday evenings and on weekends. It is also proposed to discontinue Route 8 service to Denver Water, with all trips terminating at 13th/Welton. Service to Denver Water is proposed to be provided by an improved Route 34 (proposed Route 33). Anticipated cost savings are estimated to be $31,000 annualized.

Route 9 – West 10th Avenue
Due to low ridership, it is proposed to discontinue the Route 9 school tripper starting at Lakewood-Wadsworth Station at 6:22am. Cost savings are estimated to be $13,000 annualized.

Route 9 - West 10th Avenue
Route 26 – West 26th Avenue
Route 28 – 28th Avenue
Route 76 _ Wadsworth Crosstown
This proposal recombines Routes 26 and 28 at Wadsworth Boulevard. Additionally, the western terminus for the Route 9 would be moved from the Lakewood-Wadsworth Station to 14th and Zephyr. Additional Sunday service is proposed to be added to Route 76 to maintain an appropriate service frequency along Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood.  Anticipated net cost savings is estimated to be $195,000 annualized.  

Route 10 – East 12th Avenue
Minor schedule adjustments are proposed to improve on-time performance. No cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 12 – Downing/North Washington
Discontinue 6:07pm southbound trip from Corona/Colfax to Englewood Station. Trip averages between 8-14 boardings per hour. This proposal reduces frequency south of Colfax from every 15 to every 30 minutes between 6:00pm and 6:30pm. A reroute northbound buses to remain on Downing Street at the 30th & Downing LRT Station is also proposed. The northbound stop at 29th Avenue is very convenient to the station platform.  This proposal reduces travel time by approximately 3 minutes and eliminates a very difficult left turn from California Street onto Downing.  Anticipated cost savings are estimated to be $8,200 annualized.

Route 15 – East Colfax
Route 15L – East Colfax Limited
Route 20 – 20th Avenue
- Discontinue Route 15 deviation into the Anschutz Medical Campus. Route averages approximately one boarding or alighting per trip on weekdays, and only one boarding or alighting for every 3 bus trips weekends. Route 20 will continue to provide direct campus service (see below).
- Discontinue Route 15 deviation south of Colfax via Sable, 13th Avenue, and Chambers Road. Area is well served by Route 15L on Sable and Route 153 on Chambers Road.  Also discontinue loop via Chambers, 17th Avenue, and Jasper Street.
- Extend Route 15 directly east on Colfax Avenue, continuing east to Himalaya Street, replacing Route 15L Tower Road branch. Route 15 service to Tower Road will include Saturday/Sunday/holidays, as elimination of deviations should allow this extension at no additional operating cost. (Note: Saturday service will be every 15 minutes as far east as Billings Street, then every 30 minutes to Tower Road. Sunday/holiday service will be every 30 minutes).
- Route 15L Tower Road branch trips will be cut back to terminate/originate at Colfax/Billings (East Metro Garage). Service east of Sable Blvd. is replaced by extended Route 15. Current Route 15L service to Centrepoint & Sable will remain unchanged.
- Extend Route 20 from 16th/Aurora Court adjacent to University of Colorado Hospital to Colfax/Billings.  Provides direct connection between the hospital and upcoming R-Line Light Rail service at the Colfax Station.
- Reroute eastbound Route 20 trips coming from Lakewood to use Market Street instead of Wazee Street, between Auraria Parkway and 17th Street. Provides faster travel time for most riders while still providing good access to Lower Downtown. Overall project cost:
- Weekdays = $51,700 annualized
- Saturdays = $25,280 annualized (for Route 20)
- Sundays/holidays = $28,200 annualized (for Route 20)
- Total = $105,180

Route 21 – Evans Avenue
To provide more direct service, it is proposed to reroute Route 21 onto Jewell Ave between Federal Blvd and Sheridan Blvd.  Additionally, Route 21 would be rerouted to use Monroe Street (3 blocks west of Colorado Blvd.) instead of Colorado Boulevard, between
Evans Avenue and Buchtel Drive. No cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 27 – Yale Avenue
It is proposed to reroute Route 27 in Englewood to serve The Foundry development north of Dartmouth Ave and west of Elati St.  Regular service will be discontinued on Broadway between Yale Ave and Englewood Pkwy and between Broadway and Inca St. Selected trips from Porter and Craig hospitals will remain on Englewood Pkwy. Service from Yale Ave & Broadway will then operate on Yale Ave, Elati St, Bates Ave, Galapago St, Dartmouth Ave, and Inca St.  Service to Englewood Station will be maintained.  No cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 30 – South Federal
It is proposed to move the Route 30 school trippers operating between Sheridan Blvd and Wadsworth & Hampden Park-n-Ride to become part of Route 51. These trips will now start and end at Dartmouth/Lamar. The afternoon school tripper is proposed to end at Alameda. The morning school tripper is proposed to start at Alameda. Cost impacts anticipated to be an estimated $2,580 annualized.

Route 30L – Federal Boulevard Limited
This proposal re-aligns the service in the downtown area to be routed along Stout Street in the place of Welton Street, but utilizes the same terminal at 22nd Champa. This new alignment should provide more consistent operation of this service, thereby improving ontime performance. No cost impact anticipated.

Route 31 – Federal Boulevard
Minor schedule adjustments are proposed during the early morning and late night periods to better coordinate connections with Route 16. It is proposed to move the afternoon northbound school tripper to start at Federal/Evans at 3:21pm from 3:17pm.  It is proposed to shift the times of the afternoon southbound school trippers to leave Federal/32nd at 2:55pm and 4:05pm in order to better match school dismissals. No anticipated cost impacts.

Route 33 – Platte Industrial (Renumbered from Route 34 to reflect new role)
Due to the permanent closure of the Bryant St exit from 6th Avenue and low ridership on Routes 8 and 34 it is proposed to restructure Route 34 as Route 33 to operate as a bidirectional loop serving the destinations on the current Route 34, Denver Water, the Sun Valley neighborhood, Decatur-Federal Station, and Colfax at Auraria Station. From Alameda Station, Route 33 clockwise is proposed to operate on Virginia Ave, Bannock St, Alameda Ave, Platte River Dr, Bayaud Ave, Tejon St, 2nd Ave, Bryant St, 7th Ave, Canosa Ct, 8th Ave, Decatur St, Holden Pl, Federal Blvd, Colfax Ave, Mariposa St, 13th Ave, Quivas St, 12th Ave, through Denver Water, Seminole Rd, Osage St, 3rd Ave, Galapago St, Ellsworth Ave, and Cherokee St. Counter-clockwise would operate on the same streets in reverse order, except for using Howard Pl between Federal Blvd and Decatur St. Service is proposed every 45 minutes, peak hours only. Anticipated cost impacts are estimated $93,000 annualized.

Route 36Ltd – Fort Logan: Minor schedule adjustments
Route 36L – Fort Logan Limited
This proposal re-aligns the service in the downtown area to be routed along Stout Street in the place of Welton Street, but utilizes the same terminal at 22nd Champa. This new alignment should provide more consistent operation of this service, thereby improving ontime performance. No cost anticipated.

Route 43 – Martin Luther King Blvd./Gateway
Improve weekday peak period frequency east of Montbello Park-n-Ride to Airport & 40th Park-n-Ride from every 30 to every 15 minutes, 6:00-8:30am and 3:00-6:00pm. Results in better load distribution, allows elimination of Route 43/65 school trippers east of Stapleton Park-n-Ride (at substantial savings).  Cost anticipated to be an estimated $31,000 annualized.

Route 50 – Lakes Crosstown
Minor schedule adjustments are proposed to improve on-time performance. No cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 51 – Sheridan Boulevard
It is proposed to move the Route 30 school trippers operating between Sheridan Blvd and Wadsworth & Hampden Park-n-Ride to become part of Route 51. These trips will now start and end at Dartmouth/Lamar.  Minor schedule adjustments are proposed.  No cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 52 – West 52nd Avenue / South Bannock
It is proposed to reroute Route 52 to stay on Navajo St between 32nd Ave and 34th Ave.  Drainage has been improved in this area and the street is no longer a hazard in freezing temperatures. Minor schedule adjustments are also proposed. No anticipated cost impacts.

Route 66 – Arapahoe Road
The first Saturday/Sunday/holiday morning westbound trip, presently originating at Arapahoe Station at 6:33am, would be extended to instead originate at Arapahoe Crossing at 6:07am under this proposal. Anticipated cost is estimated to be $7,250 annualized.

Route 72/72W – 72nd Avenue Crosstown
It is proposed to operate the 2nd to last trip in-service north-bound, instead of deadheading it back to the garage and to terminate it at US 85 & 72nd Avenue. Anticipated cost is estimated to be $10,300 annualized.

Route 77 – Ken Caryl Avenue
In conjunction with changes proposed to the South Jeffco Call-n-Ride, it is proposed to provide Route 77 service during the weekday midday period with 60 minute frequency.  Anticipated cost is estimated to be $51,600 annualized.

Route 79L – South Quebec Limited
Minor schedule adjustments are proposed to address on-time performance issues, no cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 80– 80th Avenue Crosstown
Minor schedule adjustments are proposed to address on-time performance issues, no cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 83L – Parker/Leetsdale Limited
Minor schedule adjustments are proposed to address on-time performance issues, no cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 85 – Chatfield Avenue
Due to few through riders, it is proposed to create Route 85 consisting of the parts of Route 401 west of Mineral Station. Span of service, frequency, and trips will remain unchanged. This will provide clarity to where buses are traveling and allow better monitoring of the route. No cost impacts are anticipated.

Route 100 – Kipling Street
Due to low ridership, it is proposed to discontinue the Route 100 school tripper starting at Federal Center Station at 3:23 pm. Minor schedule adjustments are proposed. Cost savings is estimated to be $12,600 annualized.

Route 120 – 120th Avenue
This proposal increases the morning and evening peak frequency on weekdays from hourly to service every 30 minutes between US 36 Broomfield and Wagon Road Park-n-Ride.  Current ridership performance on this service ranges from 16 to 30 passengers per hour during the peak period in the segment to be improved and 16.6 passengers per hour overall. Anticipated cost is estimated to be $62,000 annualized.

Route 131 – Iliff Avenue
Add later morning westbound trips, arriving Nine Mile Station at 9:43am and 10:13am. Also add earlier afternoon trips eastbound from Nine Mile Station at 2:26pm and 2:56pm. providing service for school dismissal times, especially Rangeview High School. Anticipated cost impacts are estimated to be $8,300 annualized.

Route 225/225D/225E – Boulder/Broomfield via Baseline & US 287
It is proposed to add one west-bound short-turn trip, in the AM peak at about 8:30am in order to alleviate the overloads and pass-ups caused due to ridership from the homeless shelter in addition to CU ridership. Trip would start at Baseline Road/Manhattan Road.  Anticipated cost impact is estimated to be $5,200 annualized.

Route 401 – Highlands Ranch/Mineral
Due to few through riders, it is proposed to split Route 401 at Mineral Station. The western portion will become Route 85 and the eastern portion will remain Route 401.  Span of service, frequency, and trips will remain unchanged. This will provide clarity to where buses are traveling and allow better monitoring of the route. Minor schedule adjustments are proposed. No anticipated cost impacts.

Route AA – Wagon Road/DIA
This proposal matches weekend trip times to weekday trip times to allow for schedule consistency for customers. No anticipated cost impacts.

Route B – Boulder/Denver
Schedule adjustments are proposed, due to the progression of US 36 HOV construction resulting in reduced running time. No anticipated cost impacts.

Belmar Call-n-Ride
The Belmar Call-n-Ride began operating in April 2013 with the opening of the West Line. The Call-n-Ride operates Monday-Friday 5:30am – 8:00pm. The Call-n-Ride has not met the RTD Service Standard of three boarding per hour. The Call-n-Ride currently has one all day bus, 5:30am – 7:00pm and one peak bus, 6:00am-9:00am and 3:00pm – 6:00pm. It is recommended to discontinue the peak bus. Anticipated savings are estimated to be $82,038 in annual costs, which include fuel.

Central Park Station
The new Central Park Station replaces the temporary Stapleton Park-n-Ride. Routes affected included the 28, 38, 40, 43, 65, 73, 88, 89, 105, AB, and AS. No anticipated cost impacts.

Golden Call-n-Ride
The Golden Call-n-Ride began operating in April 2013 with the opening of the West Line under a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement Grant (CMAQ) sponsored by the City of Golden, the Colorado School of Mines and the RTD. The Call-n-Ride operates one vehicle as a Flex Route and two vehicles as a non-flex route Call-n-Ride on weekdays.  The Call-n-Ride operates Monday-Friday 5:30am – 8:00pm and Saturdays 8:00am – 11:00pm.
On Saturday, the Call-n-Ride operates one vehicle as a Call-n-Ride. The Saturday Call-n-Ride has not met the RTD Service Standard of three boarding per hour. The hours between 7:00pm and 11:00pm carry less than one customer per hour. This recommendation is to end the service day at 7:00pm. Anticipated savings are estimated to be $11,152 in annual costs, which include fuel.

Route HX – 28th Street/Civic Center
With the opening of Boulder Junction at Depot Square Transit Center, it is proposed to extend route HX into the new facility, from its current terminal at Pearl Street/29th Street.  No cost impacts are anticipated.

Light Rail: E Line – Lincoln/Union Station
It is proposed to add one train in each direction in the AM and PM peak periods (7:24 AM northbound from Lincoln Station, 7:14 AM southbound from Union Station, 5:09 PM northbound from Lincoln Station, and 4:28 PM southbound from Union Station). This continues to assist with increasing ridership demand to/from Union Station and W Line transfers as well as increased school ridership in the fall. This proposal also advances the eventual goal of 15-minute E Line frequencies in the entire AM and PM peak periods. Anticipated cost impacts are estimated to be
$189,000 annualized.

Light Rail: E Line and F Line
It is proposed to adjust late morning pullins and early afternoon pullouts to provide more efficient service between Lincoln Station and downtown. This proposal has marginal impacts to passengers; service levels would remain the same. Anticipated savings are estimated to be
$70,800 annualized.

Light Rail: H Line – Nine Mile/Downtown
It is proposed to discontinue the 2:18 AM southbound trip from downtown on late Friday and Saturday nights. This trip was added in August 2014 as a “clean up” trip through downtown after the other late night trains, but has resulted in comparatively lower ridership than its D Line and E Line counterpart trips. Approximately 34 boardings would be affected that would need to take a train approximately 10 minutes earlier. The northbound trip from 1:36 AM between Nine Mile and I-25 & Broadway Station would be retained. Anticipated savings are estimated to be $30,500 annualized.

Route S – Denver/East Boulder
With the opening of Boulder Junction at Depot Square Transit Center, it is proposed to extend route HX into the new facility, from its current terminal at Pearl Parkway/ 49th Street. No cost impacts are anticipated.

South Jeffco Call-n-Ride
The South Jeffco Call-n-Ride began operating in January 2012. The Call-n-Ride was funded under a Job Access Reverse Commute grant. The Call-n-Ride operates Monday-Friday 5:30am – 10:00pm and Saturdays 8:00am – 10:00pm. The weekday Call-n-Ride operates with four peak vehicles. One vehicle operates a flex route to Lockheed Martin operating two trips in the am and two in the pm. This flex route has not met the RTD Service Standard of three boardings per hour. This recommendation is to discontinue the Lockheed Martin Flex route and move the resources to the weekday Call-n-Ride service.  With these additional resources, changes will be made to the weekday service delivery model in order to make the weekday Call-n-Ride a more reliable service to the customer.  The Way To Go program will look at providing a vanpool as an alternative for the Lockheed Martin customers. No anticipated cost impact.

School Service
Implement seasonal school service on the following routes:  Routes 1, 9, 11, 24, 30, 30Ltd, 31, 51, 52, 65, 73, 100, 206/206F and 208/208F.  (Route 43 school trippers replaced by improved regular Route 43 frequency) Routes BOUND, DASH, JUMP, SKIP and STAMPEDE Resume fall/winter schedule

Route N – Nederland/Boulder
Resume fall/winter schedule (extension to Eldora)

Please review the above in formation.  I strongly encourage you to contact your RTD Board member with your concerns.  I will briefly discuss this information during the Mile High Chapter Meeting Wednesday.  

Gary Van Dorn
President, Mile High NFBCO
Board Member, NFBCO
Treasurer, NFBCO Sports & Recreation Division