[Colorado-Talk] RTD Update: A Bigger Win Than Reported, Plus Tomorrow's Angle

[Tim Keenan]

Hi everyone,

Quick correction and update ahead of tomorrow's Board meeting.

THE AMENDMENT WENT FURTHER THAN I ORIGINALLY REPORTED

Last time, I told you Director Ruscha's June amendment protected paratransit
funding. That was accurate but incomplete. Thanks to ADAPT Colorado's
newsletter, we now have the actual motion language, and it does more than
protect a budget line:

"I move to amend the item to clarify that the service modification models
exclude modifications to Access-a-Ride and Access-on-Demand, and that RTD
continue the practice of preserving the Access-a-Ride service areas for
current customers in the event of a reduction or elimination of fixed route
bus service."

In plain terms: the 5-20% cut scenarios on the table for tomorrow do not
touch AAR or AOD directly, and current AAR customers keep their service-area
eligibility even if the fixed route in their area gets cut or eliminated.
That's a real, substantive win, and Director Ruscha (with Director Guzman)
delivered it. It passed 10-5.

If you haven't already, a thank-you to Director Ruscha
(joyann.ruscha at rtd-denver.com <mailto:joyann.ruscha at rtd-denver.com> ) and
Director Guzman, Michael.Guzman at rtd-denver.com
<mailto:Michael.Guzman at rtd-denver.com> , along with the full Board
(RTD.Directors at rtd-denver.com <mailto:RTD.Directors at rtd-denver.com> ) goes a
long way. Several of us have already sent ours.

 

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR TOMORROW'S PUBLIC COMMENT

Because of this amendment, the eligibility-loss argument we've been leaning
on is largely resolved for current riders. If you're planning to speak or
submit written comment tomorrow, here's the angle that still matters:

1. The protection is for CURRENT customers only. Someone who isn't yet an
AAR customer but lives along a route slated for cuts has no guaranteed path
to eligibility once that route is gone. As routes get cut over time and the
customer base turns over, that gap will only grow. Ask the Board to commit
to extending the same protection to future applicants in affected areas, or
at minimum to have the SB 26-150 independent paratransit study explicitly
examine this gap.

2. The larger case against cutting service at all still stands. Whatever cut
level the Board picks tomorrow (0-20%), remind them that RTD has not
exhausted every other option, and that going to voters in 2028 for more
funding will land better coming from an agency that visibly tried everything
else first.

3. Specific routes won't be decided until likely September, so tomorrow
isn't the day to fight for individual routes. It's the day to set the tone:
acknowledge the win on paratransit, and hold the line on caution before any
cuts at all.

 

The meeting is Tuesday, July 28 at 5:30 PM at 1660 Blake Street. Written
comment can go anytime to RTD.Directors at rtd-denver.com
<mailto:RTD.Directors at rtd-denver.com> .

 

Thanks for your time!

 

 

Tim Keenan

State Transportation Chair

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

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