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Serving those who served us: RTD honors its military employees on Veterans Day | |
For many veterans, transitioning to a civilian career after years of military service can be just as daunting as joining the armed services. RTD provides opportunity and stability for veterans seeking to apply their skills in new ways. The agency appreciates the skills, teamwork, and dedication veterans bring and recognizes the immense contributions they have made to our nation.
At the start of Veterans Day yesterday, about 120 RTD employees who had previously served in the U.S. military gathered in the paint bay at District Shops for a ceremonial breakfast. The event provided an opportunity to show appreciation and gratitude for these employees’ service and to celebrate their contributions to the agency and our country.
Click the link below to continue reading and review a gallery of images, and click on the thumbnail above to watch a recap of the day's event.
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| ‘Say what now?’ Learn about the components, processes that are part of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project | |
Anybody who has worked at RTD for any length of time is likely aware of how much jargon is used when discussing operations and maintenance. From “bus bridges” to “interlining,” there are myriad technical terms used to describe the components, elements, and procedures the agency employs to ensure safety and efficiency of the system.
During the current phase of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, terms such as “flangeway filler,” “spacer blocks,” “ballast flooding,” “tamping,” and “destressing” have been used to describe operational elements of construction. What does all of that mean, exactly? Well, RTD’s Communications and Engagement Department has partnered with Capital Programs to produce demonstration videos that showcase these elements and provide a visual time capsule of the reconstruction process as part of the larger communications effort around the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project.
Get up to speed on rails and ties, tamping and surfacing, ultrasonic testing, crossing panels, and thermite welding by checking out the YouTube playlist below, and check back periodically as more videos are published.
| | Reminder: Dec. 3 drug forum sessions open to all employees | | | | As announced in last week’s Inside Connections, RTD is hosting a two-day forum about drug use on transit, which will explore findings from the recently published multi-agency research report, “The Impacts of and Response to Drug Use on Transit,” led by a Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) team and funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). | | |
The first day of the forum, Dec. 2, will consist of a mini-conference at Civic Center Plaza and include individuals who are external to RTD. The second day of the event, Dec. 3, will feature two two-hour sessions specifically for agency staff. RTD employees can attend either of the sessions, which will take place at the following times and locations:
- 8-10 a.m., Elati
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Platte
At each event, employees will hear directly from the research team about the broader findings in the report and highlighted elements pertaining to RTD. They will also be able to ask questions and discuss drug use with the research team, Transit Police, and one another. Registration for these sessions is not required, but employees are asked to note the session they would like to attend to assist with event planning. Additionally, employees can submit questions in advance by clicking the link below.
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| | Week nine recap and project lookahead | |
Last week, crews installed restraining rail, a critical safety component of special trackwork that prevents train wheels from derailing around tight curves and reduces wear and tear. They also installed flangeway filler in the gaps between rail and concrete at vehicle crossings, applied anti-corrosion materials to protect against rust and environmental damage, and completed all remaining rail welds.
Over the weekend, crews installed pourable flangeway filler and utility handholes, set concrete forms, and prepared the work site for track paving operations. Concrete work will take place throughout this week, including placing over 1,200 square yards of colored track paving and over 1,000 linear feet of curb and gutter. Work remains on schedule.
| To access the latest project reports, progress updates, photos, videos, news and resources, click the links below. | | 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 prioritizes accessibility with customers using mobility devices | Our operator, Mark Alvarado, was awesome! His bus had multiple wheelchair-bound customers, as well as many customers carrying strollers and walkers. This driver made sure everyone was accommodated! | | Sales representative helps customer understand MyRide app, set up account | The rep at the airport Sales Outlet, Guillermina Salazar, was fantastic! She showcased her professionalism by explaining the transition from paper monthly passes to the MyRide app. | | Bus with Veterans Day wrap rolls into service this week | | |
In honor of Veterans Day, RTD unveiled a special bus wrap during yesterday's ceremony at District Shops – and military colleagues got the first look. The wrap, created by Graphic/Web Designer Travis McCain, features the colors and elements of the American flag with "Honoring Our Veterans" displayed in a large, bold font on both sides of the bus. The design includes a call to action on the back of the vehicle inviting military veterans to consider a post-service career with the agency. Click the thumbnail above to watch the wrap being applied.
The bus, which departed from the paint bay at District Shops upon the conclusion of yesterday's ceremony, carried members of RTD's Leadership Team to Elati via Brighton Boulevard and Broadway, turning heads along the way. On the trip back to District Shops, the bus took a slightly different route along Santa Fe Drive through the Art District on Santa Fe.
RTD thanks each of its military veterans for their service and sacrifice.
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Welcome to RTD's newest employees! | Twenty-eight employees joined the agency at Monday’s orientation. Welcome! | | |
5 years
Corey Mitchell
Transit Police Officer
Sepiuta Owens
Bus Maintenance Analyst
Debra A. Johnson
General Manager and Chief Executive Officer
Benito Mares
Leave Administrator
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10 years
Johnny Thomas
Bus Operator
Janet Maestas
Business Support II
Jerry Torres
Video Investigation Specialist
Gaetan Delahousse
Senior Java Developer
Herschel Boyd
Train Engineer
Robert Lujan
Bus Operator
Dieudonne Mercy
Bus Operator
Clay Moore
Bus Operator
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10 years (continued)
Driss Id Abdellah
Bus Operator
Taye Kidane
Bus Operator
Walter Palmgren
Bus Operator
Clinton Peterson
Bus Operator
Naomi Pinedo Valdez
Bus Operator
Reid Whyte
Train Operator
Tsige Woldeyes
Service Person
Thomas O'Brien
Bus Operator
Oscar Ofori
Bus Operator
Emese Sulanne-Lazar
Service Person
McKenzie Glick
LRT Field Supervisor
Stephen Garcia
Bus Operator
Chris Barry
Equipment Maintenance Supervisor
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15 years
Daniel Ortega
Body Shop Supervisor
Erik Haugen
Engineer IV
Steve Benner
Train Operator
Mike Blanco
LRT Controller
Sherry Espinoza
Bus Operator
Lewis Liggins
Bus Operator
Michael Rankin
Street Supervisor
20 years
John Wedow
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic
Ronald Hjelm
Electro Mechanic LRV
Christopher Lamont
Street Supervisor
Roger Priem
Bus Operator
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Best Dressed Operator of the Week: Doug Nelson | This week’s best-dressed operator is Platte Division’s Doug Nelson! Congratulations, Doug! Way to represent the agency in style. |
| From Cybersecurity: Get ready to say goodbye to passwords | | | | Tired of dealing with passwords? The sentiment is shared. Passwords can slow down the login process by requiring the user to re-enter them every time they log in while also opening the agency to security risks through phishing attempts. That’s why RTD, and companies across industries, are switching to smarter and safer ways to sign in. | | |
Password-less, phish-resistant sign-in means users do not need to enter a long and complex password to log in. Not only does it eliminate the need to remember dozens of lengthy, complex passwords, but it also prevents phishing attempts. Employees will be able to get into their RTD-issued computers and many applications faster, all without the need to change passwords every 90 days.
Cybersecurity is introducing two new tools that will make it easier and safer to sign in without needing to enter a password.
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Phase one: Employees will be able to use Windows Hello for Business (WHfB) to sign in onto their RTD-issued laptops or desktop computers.
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Phase two: Employees will be able to use a Passkey to sign in from their phones or personal devices.
WHfB lets users sign in using a PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition (depending on the capabilities of your device). It’s quick, secure, and much easier than entering a long and complex password. WHfB simplifies the login process when accessing tools, devices, and resources, including:
- Logging into RTD-issued laptops and desktop computers
- Microsoft Office 365 applications, such as OneDrive, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams
- Cloud-based web apps like Laserfiche, ServiceNow, and Workday
- Remote access tools such as Horizon and VPN
WHfB gives employees a modern, easy, and secure way to sign in that helps keep their work computer and applications secure. An IT Service Advisory will be sent at a later date announcing the rollout of WHfB and Passkeys.
| | Chat with the Chief sessions continue this week | | | | |
Chief of Police and Emergency Management Steve Martingano will be wrapping up his in-person employee visits with a stop at Steele Street 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19, chatting with employees in the shop area of the facility. This week, he is visiting Rio Court and three of Transdev’s operating facilities.
Martingano will host one additional, virtual session for all RTD employees, at 10 a.m. Dec. 4 via Microsoft Teams. Click the link below to register for this session.
| | November’s OneRTD Operator Graduation Ceremony is Friday | Twenty bus and five light rail operators are scheduled to complete training at this month’s OneRTD Operator Graduation Ceremony, taking place 1-2 p.m. Friday in the atrium at Blake Street! Family and friends of graduating operators and RTD employees are welcome to attend the ceremony. Those unable to make it can view the event live on the agency’s YouTube channel, linked below. | | |
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Open Enrollment ends Monday. Salaried employees and Transit Police officers who have not yet made their selections are strongly encouraged to log into Workday to update and verify desired coverage at their earliest convenience.
Please email the Benefits team (benefits@rtd-denver.com) with questions.
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| | Winter programming events are underway | |
This holiday season, RTD’s Community Engagement team and employee volunteers are spreading holiday cheer far and wide to customers. Keep an eye out for this month’s events (below), and look for recaps in upcoming issues of Inside Connections!
Gingerbread Cookie Surprise at Denver Airport Station
Noon-2 p.m. Nov. 21
Caroling at Denver Union Station
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 26
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Join Learning Administrator Eryn Grover at the final Facts-n-Snacks sessions of the year next week as she discusses how to get the most value out of the Professional Development Program (PDP) funds available to every RTD employee to advance their skills and education.
Dates, times, and attendance options are below. To register, click the link associated with each desired session and fill out the form.
- Session 1: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 (in-person, Blake Conference Room A)
- Session 2: Noon Wednesday, Nov. 19 (virtual, Microsoft Teams)
- Session 3: 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 (virtual, Microsoft Teams)
| | Interested in presenting a topic for Facts-n-Snacks in 2026? A few spots remain. Email Public Relations Senior Specialist Austin Nettleton (austin.nettleton@rtd-denver.com) to reserve your session as soon as possible. | | 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 | |
"You’re not selfish for wanting to be treated well."
— Jason Momoa
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| 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. |
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