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Welcome to Community Connections, formerly called the Stakeholder Update! RTD renamed the newsletter to focus on our valued members of the transit community – customers and stakeholders, alike. In this edition, it’s official: RTD’s Transit Police launched its fully operational detective bureau to support a Welcoming Transit Environment for all. Watch the fiery work in action in the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project video below. As 2025 winds down, RTD is looking ahead with its proposed 2026 budget and making headway on shifting to lower-emission vehicles. | | RTD launches Transit Police Detective Bureau | | The Transit Police Department (RTD-PD) Detective Bureau is fully operational and able to start investigating and prosecuting crimes as of Oct. 15. Learn about the behind-the-scenes work to launch the bureau, including onboarding a victim’s advocate specialist and setting up an evidence room. The newly launched bureau is just one of many strategies the Transit Police Department has implemented to support a Welcoming Transit Environment for RTD customers and employees. | | RTD doubles down on efforts to improve service | | | | As commuting patterns evolve post-pandemic, RTD is working to rebuild ridership, improve reliability, and enhance the customer experience across its entire system. The agency’s recent progress, and its plans to roll out new digital tools and customer-focused initiatives, show how RTD is adapting to meet the needs of its customers – both now and in the future. | | |
FasTracks to the future
RTD released its 2025 Finishing FasTracks Report to provide a common set of facts outlining what is needed to complete the FasTracks projects. The draft report details the $1.6 billion capital and operating costs needed to complete the 2004 voter-approved transit expansion program, and the revenue and ridership projections for the four unfinished corridors. Since 2004, RTD has completed approximately 75% of the FasTracks projects.
| | Visit Finishing FasTracks to provide feedback. | | FreeRide cruising 16th Street again | | RTD’s bus shuttles, which run approximately every five minutes, are one of the most visible parts of the 16th Street corridor, attracting thousands of boardings every day. | | RTD’s no-cost bus shuttle – the 16th Street FreeRide – is cruising the full length of 16th Street from Denver Union Station to Civic Center again. The 16th Street FreeRide, formerly known as the Free MallRide, was rebranded earlier this year to reflect the corridor’s new name. The FreeRide’s detours from 16th Street began in 2022 when Denver’s multi-year construction began on the pedestrian mall. The shuttle has averaged more than 170,000 monthly boardings in 2025, so far this year, compared to 125,000 monthly boardings in 2024. | |
Sparks fly: Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project video
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Construction crews with RTD began rail welding work, sparking flames, at the Kalamath Street crossing the week of Oct. 6. See fire alight for preventative maintenance – as part of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project (DRRP) – and as explained by RTD Construction Manager Matt Druffel. | | | | | Access-on-Demand program updates start Jan. 1 | | To help deliver a more fiscally sustainable Access-on-Demand program, RTD's Board of Directors approved instating a $4.50 standard fare/$2.25 LiVE fare for eligible customers per trip, among other updates. Access-on-Demand provides same-day trips for paratransit customers. | | |
The service has seen a 306% increase in the amount appropriated for the program since January 2023. Costs for the services that provide non-shared trips on an RTD-contracted rideshare or taxi increase 3% each month, beyond $1.2 million in August. The updates will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
| | Looking ahead: RTD's proposed $1.3 billion 2026 budget | | RTD is proposing a $1.3 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The proposed budget minimizes impacts to transit service delivery and retains the agency’s people power needed to deliver its mission. RTD’s primary source of revenue comes from the collection of a one-percent sales and use tax in the Denver metro area. The proposed budget accounts for uncertainties in the financial climate for both government agencies and private businesses. The Board will act on the proposed budget on Dec. 2. | | | | |
Driving down future emissions
RTD is taking another step in its long-term Facilities and Fleet Transition Plan by investing $539 million over the next five years to replace aging diesel buses with more efficient, clean-diesel buses. The move ensures RTD can continue delivering safe and reliable transit services while positioning the agency for a gradual shift to low- and zero-emission vehicles.
| | Work, growth of Transit Police spotlighted in industry video | | The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Exposition, which convened Oct. 18-21 in Denver, attracted more than 16,000 public safety professionals from all over the world. RTD’s Transit Police Department was represented at the event in a video showcased at the Colorado Convention Center. | | The approximately 6-minute film features comments from RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson; Chief of Police and Emergency Management Steve Martingano; K-9 officer Corey Averill, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 72; Lead Video Investigations Specialist Jaime Ruddock; and Lead Dispatcher Michael Finnell. Also featured were the department’s K-9 teams, newly formed honor guard, and mental health co-responder unit – a patrolling approach pioneered in the U.S. by Martingano. | | RTD honored as Corporate Partner of the Year | | RTD was named the 2025 Corporate Partner of the Year by the Asian Chamber of Commerce (ACC). The honor recognized the agency’s outstanding support of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) small businesses and organizations. | | | Leadership updates and promotions | | Patrick Preusser named Chief Operations Officer | | Kelly Mackey joined RTD as Chief Financial Officer |
| Brett Federson promoted to Chief Information and Technology Officer | | Greg Smith promoted to Deputy Chief Operations Officer – Bus | | | Timothy Tyran named Director of Safety and Environmental Compliance and Chief Safety Officer | |
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Thanks for reading and being a part of the RTD community. Enjoy the Fall season! | | | | |
