|
RTD launches single app for trip planning, fares, and security tools | The new NextRide mobile app gives customers a single platform to plan trips, purchase and store digital fare, and report security concerns. NextRide consolidates multiple RTD tools into a streamlined experience, including viewing real-time vehicle locations, Service Alerts, and access to customer support. The app is available in 10 languages and can be downloaded from the Google Play and Apple App stores. | | Diversity Spotlight: Women's Equality Day | |
Diversity Spotlight celebrates the diversity of RTD employees and the larger community that RTD serves and fosters an appreciation of our social and cultural similarities and differences. Diversity Spotlight supports RTD’s values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership.
Women’s Equality Day, observed annually on Aug. 26, commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which expanded voting rights for women in the United States. The observance also honors the generations of women, advocates, leaders, and changemakers whose contributions have helped advance greater equity in education, employment, leadership, civic participation, transportation, and public life.
| | RTD secures $20M in savings amid global market turbulence | |
RTD successfully priced its Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds (FasTracks Project) Series 2026A, achieving strong financial results in what market analysts widely describe as one of the most challenging trading environments of the year. The transaction closed yesterday.
Despite a “global bond selloff” making headlines this month, RTD achieved $20 million in net present value (NPV) savings, representing 7% savings on an issuance of $266 million.
“Despite conditions that could have sidelined this transaction, our team navigated through what was described as a ‘perfect storm’ in the markets,” Chief Financial Officer Kelly Mackey said, referring to Hilltop Securities Senior Managing Director Michael Newman’s assessment of the current bond market. “The result reinforces not only RTD’s financial strength and credit story, but also the resilience of Colorado as a whole. This refunding positions us well for the future and generates substantial value for the communities we serve.”
| | |
|
This week, crews advanced construction in both the Downtown Loop Midblocks and Colfax Avenue Alignment areas. Along Stout Street, crews completed the first embedded track concrete pour in the Downtown Loop while continuing drainage and curb inlet work. Along Colfax Avenue, crews continued work between Seventh and Ninth streets and began reconstruction on the Cherry Creek Bridge, including removal of existing rail and concrete plinths.
With much of the work to come being the same process repeated in new areas, this will be the last weekly report. From this point, updates will be provided on a bi-weekly cadence.
| | 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. | | Supervisor's conversation with operators enables tight connection for customers | I would like to give a shoutout to Transit System & Support Supervisor Tonya Smith for hearing us out the other day. We come in on the C Line and get to Union Station around 5:40 p.m., and this does not give us enough time to catch the FreeRide. | | Operator's positive attitude, skills, demeanor set the standard for customer | I take RTD three to five times a week, and it makes me so happy to send in a compliment to the best driver RTD has, Joe Mays! He always greets everyone and wishes people well, and his positive attitude and friendly demeanor make taking the bus an absolute delight! | | Competitors bring the heat to 2026 RTD Snowplow Roadeo | | |
Last Friday, colleagues took to the concrete at the District Shops parking lot to compete for the title of 2026 Snowplow Roadeo champion and secure an invite to the 2026 National Snow Roadeo in Loveland this fall.
The course, consisting of multiple obstacles that emulate what employees encounter on the roads, challenged individuals’ precision skills and their ability to blaze through the course as fast as possible without incurring penalties. Two competitive disciplines were available to each team of two: single-axle and tandem-axle.
John Prather and Corey Reese were crowned champions in the single-axle category, with the team of Mark Pacheco and James Thacker coming in second place, and Alex Martinez and Chip Seedroff rounding off the podium in third place.
In the tandem-axle category, the team of Daniel Guerrero and James Mohan took home top honors. The teams of Kyle Hendrix and JR Richards, and Zach Lamorie and Manuel Padilla, came in second and third place, respectively.
A full video recap will be available in next week's edition of Inside Connections. Congratulations to all the medalists, and thanks to all the competitors and volunteers who helped make this year’s event another great success!
| | |
Nabil Haddad
Senior Manager, Rail Infrastructure Delivery
Collin Sanders
Operating Facilities Manager
Joe Buckenmeyer
Public Safety Dispatcher
Marisa Payne
Public Safety Dispatcher
Sebastian Ortiz Mendoza
Service Person
Jamie Smith
Deputy Chief People Officer
Tanya Jimenez
Project Manager I, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
Justin Kresh
Lead Public Safety Dispatcher
Tensae Abesha
Bus Operator
Habtom Asfaha
Bus Operator
Darren Blackwell
Bus Operator
Brendan Cassidy
Bus Operator
| | |
Gustavo Flores
Bus Operator
Jimmy Limes
Bus Operator
Josette Servin
Bus Operator
Mekibib Solomon
Bus Operator
Bogale Woldemariam
Bus Operator
Darwin Araujo
Train Operator
Amadou Barry
Train Operator
Shunta Burrows
Train Operator
Michael Goma
Train Operator
Michael Kahan
Train Operator
Nick Vigil
Train Operator
Zondranika Williams
Train Operator
| | Best Dressed Operator of the Week: Abel Alemu | This week’s honoree is East Metro operator Abel Alemu, who has been a public servant with RTD for three years. He is always dressed well and shows his colleagues what pride in appearance looks like. Thank you, Abel! | | Empower returning to District Shops, Platte Sept. 2 | | | | Empower Retirement’s RTD plan advisor, Clayton Faber, will be at two agency operating divisions Wednesday, Sept. 2, to offer employees practical financial guidance. From 9 a.m. to noon, he will be in the third-floor Gigabyte Conference Room at District Shops. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., employees will find him in the operator break room at Platte. | | Need another date or time? Click the link below to schedule a no-cost virtual or phone consultation with Faber. | | Reminder: Volunteer, competitor, and basketball tournament registration is open | Don’t forget to register for this year’s Bus Roadeo! Spots are still available for operators, mechanics, and service persons to compete, while plenty of volunteer and 3-on-3 basketball tournament spots also remain available. Click the link below to visit the Hub and register today. |
| From Development and Training: Post University begins new term Monday | |
RTD education partner Post University offers dozens of undergraduate and graduate level programs – and employees may use their PDP funds toward tuition expenses. Even better: The university offers agency employees a 40% tuition discount.
Contact the Development and Training team at rtdlearning@RTD-Denver.com with any questions about how to submit a PDP request. Click the link below to learn more or apply.
| | On National Dog Day, say hi to your colleagues’ furry friends! | |
Who’s a good dog? Every one of these sweet companions submitted by colleagues across the agency in recognition of National Dog Day, a date that honors pets and working dogs alike. (That's Pia above, with Stephanie Barnard.)
The late naturalist, animal welfare activist, and writer Roger Caras observed: “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” Click the link below to view a gallery of employee pups.
|
| 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 | |
"The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it."
— William James
| |
| What did you think of this edition of Inside Connections? | | | | |
Need to report a concern with a vehicle, bus route, rail line or customer facility? Fill out the OneRTD Care Reporting Form by clicking the link below. |
| Disclaimer: Please do not click the unsubscribe button. You will miss out on important information about the agency and be resubscribed. | | | | |
