What are shuttle buses? Video explains use of bus bridges | | |
Whenever a service alert is issued, there’s a chance it will be accompanied by the words “shuttle bus” or “shuttle buses.” However, these aren’t the shuttle buses that transport customers from a parking lot to a venue or event. In RTD’s world, shuttle buses – also known as bus bridges – help supplement or replace rail service during a disruption. They can also be issued to shuttle customers across busy highways or tracks without street-level crossings whenever there are elevator outages that prevent customers with disabilities from being able to access footbridges and tunnels.
RTD’s Communications and Engagement Department filmed this video after many hours of customer outreach by the Impact Team and operations over the last year. “We felt another resource was necessary to better communicate and demonstrate what to expect when bus shuttles are necessary, as everyone learns and absorbs information differently,” Business Program Manager Betsy Hinojosa said. “We hope this video can help customers feel more confident in navigating a disruption. This video does not replace the valuable customer support provided in-person by our talented teams at RTD, but serves to supplement our work.”
Click the thumbnail above to learn more about shuttle buses.
| | March data added to security-related metrics webpage | The latest statistics, from March, include 3,122 security-related calls for service, a decrease of 28.1% year-over-year; 5,336,000 systemwide boardings; 314 Transit Watch app incident reports; 380,947 fare checks; and 59 arrests made in response to criminal activity. Click the link below to review more metrics. | | Results available from welding fume worker exposure studies | The Safety and Environmental Compliance Team collaborated with RTD working groups and industrial hygienist Foothills Environmental Inc. (FEI) to complete two worker exposure studies this year related to metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, which can pose an inhalation risk to employees performing the work. | | Armando Martinez, Budget Analyst III (15 years) | | | | “I graduated from college with a degree in finance in 2008, and that’s when the recession hit. I couldn’t get a job. I was working for Denver Concrete, doing landscaping for other companies. My dad told me, I have a friend who says they’re hiring at RTD, and it’s a seasonal (landscaper) position, it’s a good way to get your foot in the door. I applied and I got in. After the second season, I got on as a Service and Cleaning employee at Platte and stayed there for three years." |
| Transit Trekkers compete in Colfax Marathon corporate relay | | At Sunday’s Colfax Marathon, RTD employees represented the agency in the corporate relay, a five-leg race with teams representing local and regional businesses. Pictured left to right are bus operator Ketema Ketema, General Superintendent of Bus Maintenance Sangman Yoon, Light Rail Storeroom Supervisor Brett Ryals, and street supervisors Nico Casciato and Victor Cruz-Pacheco. Ryals set the fastest pace for the team, recording an average time of eight minutes and 21 seconds over his 6.5-mile leg of the relay race. Congratulations, all, for completing the Colfax Marathon together! | | Information specialist shares photos from her commute | | Information Specialist Dorie Dayhuff shared these photos from her daily commute to work. In the first photo, an A Line operator departs on a trip. In the second photo, the sun rises over Peoria Station. | | SBO Office Manager discusses contracting opportunities on WTS conference panel | RTD had great representation at the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) International Annual Conference, which was May 7-9 in the Canadian city of Toronto. In addition to General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson, who serves on the WTS International Board of Directors, agency participants included Civil Rights Division Director Carl Green Jr., Small Business Opportunity (SBO) Office Manager Alexis Serrano Castro and SBO Compliance Specialist Urvashi Shrestha. In one of the conference sessions, “Bridging the Gap: Strengthening the Disadvantaged Businesses Enterprise (DBE) Ecosystem in Transportation,” Serrano Castro served as a panelist, sharing RTD’s efforts to level the playing field and close the gap on contracting opportunities, as well as ways that potential prime contractors or DBEs can bridge the gap. | | 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. | | Bus operator uses empathy and clear thinking to talk customer out of self harm | |
I would like to recognize operator Jorge Manuel Munoz for his present mind and compassion by deterring a self harm attempt at Englewood Station. The operator directed the individual to board his bus. Munoz notified a street supervisor. The street supervisor notified Transit Police, who worked with local authorities to get the person the help that was needed.
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| | Bus operator creates a safe and enjoyable experience for customer | |
I recently rode from the airport to downtown Boulder on operator Adalberto Ayala’s bus. He was so kind and helpful to everyone who stepped on the bus. He had the best disposition and made people smile. The ride became comfortable for all of us. I wish you had more employees like him. Thank you to all that had a hand in hiring such a pleasant person.
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Dawn Larson
Accountant I (4 years)
Timothy Neff
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic (4 years)
Gary Sancomb
Bus Operator (11 years)
Marcia Fraley
Real Property Specialist (23 years)
Theresa Rinker
Market Development Manager (25 years)
| | This week’s best-dressed operator is Brenda Richardson from East Metro! Thank you, Brenda, for adhering to dress code standards and looking sharp while doing it. | | Human Trafficking Awareness: How do traffickers operate? | | | | Traffickers can be of any race, gender, or social or economic status. Often, a trafficker is someone the victim knows and trusts, such as an intimate partner, employer, friend or family member. Traffickers use force, fraud and/or coercion to control victims and prevent them from escaping the situation. | | |
A trafficker might:
- Make promises of a better life
- Offer legal status
- Make threats, become violent
Traffickers have many other methods to control their victims, such as:
- Isolating from family and friends
- Controlling and monitoring movement
- Continuing to make false promises
- Threatening family members
- Psychological manipulation
Traffickers also create situations where victims are dependent on them:
- Withholding basic needs and substances such as food, shelter and health services
- Putting the victim in a position where they owe their trafficker money (debt-bondage)
- Confiscating documentation
- Forcing victims to engage in criminal activity
Visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline to learn more about recognizing human trafficking. RTD employees are also encouraged to complete Truckers Against Trafficking’s half-hour transit training course, which is specifically designed to help transit professionals recognize and report suspected trafficking. Click here to enroll.
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May safety report for East Metro is now available | Fifty-three items were inspected, with 42 found in compliance and strongly adhering to OSHA standards and best practices, and 11 issues requiring corrective action and follow-up. Click the link below to read the full report. |
| Reminder: May's service changes take effect Sunday | Notable changes include reinstatement of the Free MetroRide, the addition of a northbound N Line trip from Union Station on Friday evenings, the renaming of Route P to Route PD, and increased service on Routes 16, 44, 73, 153 and NB2. With these changes, RTD will have added over 27,000 in-service hours this year to date. | | Platte Division to host career fair May 30 | Do you know someone looking for a new career? Have them visit next week's career fair at Platte! From 3 to 6 p.m. May 30, job-seekers can learn more about career opportunities spanning across all fields and professions within RTD, including Bus and Rail Operations and Maintenance. Supervisor and manager positions are available. Click the link below to learn more. | | Celebrate our newest colleagues at Friday's operator graduation ceremony | | | | Join RTD’s newest bus and rail operators as they graduate from training and enter service! A ceremony will take place at noon on Friday in the atrium at Blake Street, followed by a reception in the T&D Conference Room. Starting next month, graduations will be livestreamed to enable virtual participation by family and friends. | | 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 | |
“I intend to live life, not just exist."
— George Takei
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