5280 Safe Driving Program recognizes hundreds of operators | | Boulder-based operator Daniel Brennan, nine years accident-free. | | East Metro-based operators Fisseha Assefa (left) and Nuru Ali (right), celebrate 16 and 23 years accident-free, respectfully. | | Platte-based operator Rachel Avila, six years accident-free. | | |
RTD is recognizing 436 bus operators who maintained accident-free driving and avoided preventable incidents in 2024 as part of its 5280 Safe Driving Program. This year, 12 of the bus operators honored with the recognition have maintained their accident-free driving record for 20 years or more, with the most tenured being Jaime Contreras, an operator for 26 years. Sixty operators who achieved the recognition drove over 100,000 miles last year. Close to 200 operators have maintained accident-free records for five consecutive years.
Operator awards were issued at divisions beginning last week. Click the links below to learn more about the program, and browse a gallery of colleagues who have been recognized for their safe driving.
| | RTD targets lifting all remaining light rail speed restrictions next month | The adjusted timeline takes into account recent work delays that were caused by inclement weather, third-party contractor availability, and ongoing track inspections. Since last June, Maintenance of Way has removed and replaced 9,691 feet of track along the D, E, H and R lines. | | RTD to update Title VI Program, seeking community feedback | RTD is accepting community feedback on its draft 2025-2028 Title VI Program through May 14. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act ensures equitable access to transit services and compliance with federal regulations. RTD’s Transit Equity Office updates the Title VI Program every three years and is seeking input on several key components, including the agency’s Public Participation Plan, Title VI Policies and Language Access Plan. | | Employee, customer, community surveys launch this month | |
April marks the start of key annual surveys in support of RTD’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan. Public-facing surveys – of bus, rail and paratransit customers and community members – began Monday and conclude April 30. The 2025 Employee Survey begins Tuesday, April 15, and extends through May 16.
Contracted surveyors are engaging with customers onboard vehicles and at stations for the duration of the bus and rail customer surveys. The consultancy will reach paratransit customers and community members using a combination of text, email and paper forms. The Employee Survey can be taken online, in writing using printed surveys available at operating facilities, and in person at division events. Click the links below to read a memo from RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson about the surveys and to view a schedule of events for the Employee Survey.
| | Telyshia Tate, Bus Operator, 15 years | | | | “I am a mother of three. I am 37 years old. I’ve dibbled and dabbled in other things, but RTD’s always been my main source of income. When I first started, my older children were 1 and 2 – now they’re 15 and 16. I had my third child while working, and I worked all the way up until three days before I went into labor with her on Colfax. And she is full of energy, life, always on the go. I’m like, that darn (Route) 15 is what did it for her, bouncing up and down." | | RTD assists customers for Colorado Rockies home opener | | |
Take me out to the ball game! Rockies season is here, and RTD is ready to welcome thousands of baseball fans this season who take transit to Coors Field.
In February, Communications and Engagement commenced preparations for Rockies Opening Day support and brainstormed tactics to encourage the community to let RTD do the driving. Click below to read about the collaboration on display Friday benefiting the public – and to learn more about the creation of a video featuring Rockies mascot Dinger.
| | East Metro welcomes return of Rockies baseball with cookout | | On Friday, East Metro employees enjoyed freshly grilled hot dogs, snacks and refreshments to celebrate the Colorado Rockies home opener in hopes of a great season of baseball! | | Maintenance team takes award at International Bus Roadeo | |
Team RTD headed to Austin, Texas, last weekend to compete in the 2025 International Bus Roadeo, an event recognizing the skill and professionalism of public transit bus operators and maintenance crews. A total of 75 bus operators, 52 maintenance teams and 44 combined teams demonstrated their abilities in various driving, safety and repair scenarios.
RTD placed 17th of all combined teams at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) event. Operator Jimmy Romero finished 51st in the driving competition, while the maintenance team of Dan Jurik, Ben Carroll and Marcos Carrillo (pictured above, from left to right, with Joe Saldana, Regional Sales Manager at Gillig) took 11th place of all maintenance teams competing – and was declared the Gillig Written Test winner!
“The APTA Bus Roadeo is a celebration of excellence, and this year’s winners have truly demonstrated the highest caliber of skill and professionalism in public transit operations,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “The commitment to safety and customer service displayed by all participants sets a standard for the industry. Congratulations to all, and thank you for advancing public transportation.”
| | Every day across the Denver metro area, RTD employees are making lives better through connections. The agency is proud to spotlight our exceptional workforce who go above and beyond in their roles and embody RTD’s core values. Join us in celebrating colleagues who personify the values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration and ownership. | | Information specialist helps customer retrieve phone left on bus | |
The agent I talked to, Kelly Galindo Ortega, was fantastic. She was extremely calm and patient, helping me calm down from a situation I was very stressed and hysterical about. I had left my phone on the bus, and she helped me track the bus it was on.
> Read more <
| | Bus operator uses acute reflexes to avoid collision with truck | |
I want to give your operator Sylvester Hale significant kudos. He is a good driver. We were almost sideswiped by a big white industrial truck. He saw it coming and skillfully avoided it. The truck ended up swerving and drove over the median.
> Read more <
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5 years
Bobby Mills
Facilities Maintenance Supervisor
Kristen Campilonga
Business Analyst, Revenue
Sherry Gillespie
Business Support II
Gerald Miranda
Train Operator
James Norland
Train Operator
Doug Young
Train Operator
Salvador Macias
Rail Laborer
Gene Carson
Bus Operator
Ken Williams
Equipment Maintenance Supervisor
Victoria McReynolds
Bus Operator
Ronnie Brooks
Service & Cleaning Supervisor
Cristobal Flores-Ramirez
LRT Field Supervisor
Marlon Hammer
Bus Operator
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10 years
Rhonda Wilson
Bus Operator
Corey Reese
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic
Joseph Williams
Train Operator
15 years
Dennis Yaklich
Data Sciences & Analytics Manager
Armando Martinez
Budget Analyst III
Annie Garcia
Business Support
Aundra Alexander
Bus Operator
Trina Khokhar
Distribution Clerk – Internal
Tim Wallace
Technical Training Instructor/Supervisor
20 years
Darlene Philips
Unit Shop Certified Technician
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25 years
Luis Escobedo
Bus Operator
Richard Seedroff
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic
Phillip Maes
Custodian/Public Facilities Maintenance
Mohammad Shajiei
Bus Operator
Alejandro Castro
Bus Operator
Matt Miraflor
LRT Controller
Robert Nite
Certified Facilities Maintenance Mechanic
George Sweeney
Electro Mechanic LRV
30 years
Javier Rodriguez
Sign Maintainer
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Next week, join Senior Talent Acquisition Partner Rachel Sileo as she shares tips on optimizing resumes and cover letters for job openings within RTD, highlights best practices on presenting oneself for an interview, and provides tips for ensuring an interview is successful. Dates, times and locations are below. Email invites were sent Friday.
- Session #1 (virtual): 12:30 p.m. April 14
- Session #2 (in-person, Blake Conference Room A): 10 a.m. April 15
- Session #3 (virtual): 10:30 a.m. April 17
Questions about Facts-n-Snacks or need another invite? Email Austin Nettleton, at austin.nettleton@rtd-denver.com.
| | Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Slow it down | | April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, dedicated to preventing distracted driving and encouraging drivers to keep all eyes on the road. Every week this month, read tips to combat distracted driving to ensure everyone stays safe while on the road. This week, learn about keeping it slow and steady while driving. | | |
Perhaps a driver is running late to work, gets caught up in traffic or has to go on an unexpected detour due to road construction. To make up for that, the driver puts the pedal to the metal and excessively speeds to regain lost time. This is dangerous, as there is less time to be aware of and react to other drivers. Keep the following tips in mind to avoid being distracted by speeding:
- Don’t roll through stop signs, even if there are no cars coming.
- Don’t let passengers or detours dictate speed. Remember, it’s better to be late and alive than not arrive at all.
- Don’t speed through construction zones and adhere to posted speed limits. Reduced speeds are there for a reason – driver and worker safety.
Keeping it slow and steady will ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.
| | RTD launches third round of Partnership Program funding | RTD is releasing its Call for Projects Partnership Program on April 16, with $3 million available annually over a three-year period. Funding will be available for the years 2026-2028 for projects determined to help improve local mobility. | | Empower Retirement will be at Platte today | Empower Retirement's RTD representative, Jaleel Awini, will visit Platte Division today to chat with employees about retirement strategies and preparing for the future. He will be in the operator lounge until 4 p.m. | | Track circuit work to impact L Line service Monday | | | | RTD will suspend L Line service Monday, April 14, for 24 hours as crews perform necessary track circuit repairs on the Welton corridor between 20th•Welton and 30th•Downing stations. | | The L Line will not operate along the corridor or in the Downtown Loop during the one-day suspension. However, the D and H lines will continue to operate in the Downtown Loop, and customers can use bus Route 43 as an alternative to L Line service. | | Niwot Road median closure rescheduled | The full closure of the Niwot Road median, between northbound and southbound CO Highway 119, has been rescheduled. The median will now be closed to all modes of transportation from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday for restriping, and again April 28-May 7 for installation of a bicycle underpass. | | RTD introduces video management system policy | The agency has introduced a policy that outlines the appropriate use, management and security of the video management system within RTD. It covers the installation, operation, storage and access of closed-circuit television recordings. Click the link to review the policy. | | RTD has a number of solicitations currently underway at the agency or planned for the near future. To view and download current solicitations, see upcoming opportunities, and review pending and awarded contracts, follow the links below. | | | | Debra's Quote of the Week | |
“When it feels like even flowers are against you, keep on fighting."
— Loretta Lynn
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