Dr. Glynell Horn Jr., Steve Martingano named acting co-chiefs of Transit Police and Emergency Management Department | |
RTD has named Dr. Glynell Horn Jr. and Steve Martingano acting co-chiefs of the Transit Police and Emergency Management Department. General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson announced the news to agency staff on Oct. 4, and the two immediately assumed the shared acting role. A national search will begin next month for the next chief of police and emergency management, with an aim to name the selected candidate in early 2025. | |
Leaders celebrate launch of East Colfax Ave BRT | City, state and federal representatives gathered Oct. 4 at City Park Esplanade in Denver to kick off construction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service line along East Colfax Avenue, with work crews mobilizing this week. The line will transform how people move, making travel by bus faster and more reliable and providing an attractive alternative to driving that’s safer and better for the environment. At the event, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) officially awarded $150 million toward implementation of the BRT system. | |
RTD celebrates 30 years of light rail, completion of first phase of downtown rail reconstruction | RTD commemorated two significant milestones for its light rail operations: 30 years of light rail service and finishing the first phase of the agency’s largest rail replacement project. The agency hosted a celebratory event Oct. 5 with a deejay, family-friendly activities, food trucks and more for the public. | |
RTD awarded federal grant to assess Park-n-Rides | | |
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RTD has received $400,000 in grant funding that will enable Planning staff to assess eight Park-n-Rides in the district, some of which are underused and have the potential to better serve the public if converted to other uses, such as affordable housing. “The resources provided by this grant will help RTD do more analysis faster, hopefully getting us to results faster. I can’t wait to get started,” said Transit-Oriented Development Manager Chessy Brady. | |
This technical assistance grant will be administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau, which aims to execute a cooperative agreement with RTD by January 2025 to lay the groundwork for the project. Once that is complete, procurement for a planning and economic consultant can begin, and assessment could start next summer. Watch for more details about this work next year. | |
RTD's oldest rail line showcases modern safety improvements | | |
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Ahead of marking 30 years of light rail service in Denver on Oct. 7, RTD completed installation and testing of several enhanced safety measures along the Welton Corridor and reopened an original portion of the agency’s inaugural line, the L Line. | |
Customers, local leaders, RTD staff celebrate 30th anniversary of light rail in Denver | |
On Saturday, the agency held a celebration near 16th•California Station looking back on the history of light rail operations in Denver. RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson, RTD Board Chair Erik Davidson and Executive Director of Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Amy Ford kicked off the celebration with speeches, followed by a cutting of a special cake and distribution of cake pops to attendees. Many family-friendly activities were made available to attendees, including face painting, balloon animals, exhibits featuring light rail equipment, food trucks and a live deejay. | |
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. | |
Longtime mechanic takes lead in showing team how to repair bus | |
It takes a team and experience to replace the side of a bus. A big thank you to Body Shop body mechanic and 26-year employee Will Samora for showing his five teammates how to get it done.
> Read more <
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Information specialist provides detailed route planning for customer | |
I was calling to tell you that information specialist Dorothy Dayhuff did a great job. I was planning a trip, and she spent a lot of time with me figuring out the best way to go.
> Read more <
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5 years
Josh Hunter
Signal Maintainer
Mohan Koneru
Senior ERP Developer
Jose Alvarado
Manager of Safety Assurance and Certification
Yasser Elgharably
Bus Operator
Mark Krone
Lead Division Supervisor
Brandy Hunter
Collaboration Platforms Supervisor
Stephen Haunert
System Administrator
Muhammad Azam
Bus Operator
Jesus Rubi
Equipment Maintenance Supervisor
Tyler Janssen
General Repair Mechanic
10 years
Jan Bump
Business Support
Lionel Meredith
Bus Operator
Joli Devries
Accounting Clerk
Patty Schmidt-Reed
Program Manager, ECM
Tambor Haven
Undercover Ride Monitor
David Newcomb
Bus Operator
Hayward Ward
Bus Operator
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15 years
Momoko Cordova
Physical Therapist
Rita Sandoval
Bus Operator
Mathew Cross
Transit Safety Specialist
Jerome Barrow
Bus Operator
Darius Dixon
Lead Division Supervisor
Farrah Champliss
Lead Division Supervisor
Reed Sorenson
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic
Michael Brown
Bus Operator
20 years
Mhamed Bouqssim
Commuter Rail Inspector
Matthew McDowell
Electro Mechanic LRV
Bobby Shoeboot
Revenue Systems Supervisor
25 years
Jessica Frere
Senior Accounting Technician
Theresa Rinker
Manager of Market Development
Kirk Osborn
General Repair Certified Mechanic
Watana Kitcharoen
General Repair Certified Mechanic
30 years
Keenya Alexander
Bus Operator
35 years
Bev Castro
Information Specialist
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In memoriam: Nepthalin Rubio | | |
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RTD mourns the loss of longtime employee Nepthalin Rubio, who died Oct. 5. Rubio was a dispatcher on the Street Operations team, playing a key role in ensuring bus operators' safety on the road.
Rubio began his career with RTD in November 1997 and served for over 26 years as an operator and dispatcher. He was a dedicated employee who was loved by his family, colleagues and friends.
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Employees who want to speak with someone about this loss can call RTD’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1.800.284.1819. If support is needed, employees in Bus Operations are also invited to contact Sherri Lee at 303.299.4010 or Eric Castillo at 303.299.4028.
Click the link below to read a memo about the passing of Rubio from Chief People Officer Charlene Polege.
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Differentiating reality, AI and deepfakes | |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, is one of the most used forms of AI today. It generates content such as text, audio and video, using that knowledge to generate text based on the prompts it has been given.
While generative AI has many uses, it can be used maliciously.
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This month: Volunteer for the BOOnion Station Trick-or-Treat Parade | |
Join your colleagues Oct. 24 for the 10th annual BOOnion Station Trick-or-Treat Street Parade! This event also features mini-train rides, balloon artists and more family-friendly activities. Costumes are encouraged!
Volunteers are needed to help pass out candy, answer questions and promote Zero Fare for Youth at RTD’s pumpkin-patch-themed booth. Staff interacted with more than 1,000 children last year.
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Free MallRide service returns Sunday to a portion of 16th Street Mall | RTD will begin operating Free MallRide shuttle service Sunday, Oct. 13, on a portion of the 16th Street Mall between Union Station and Curtis Street. Customers can board the Free MallRide on each of the Mall's newly opened blocks. The Free MallRide will continue to provide service to customers on 15th and 17th streets between Curtis Street and Civic Center Station through completion of the 16th Street Mall project in 2025. | |
2025/2026 badge decals are coming soon | |
Be on the lookout for new employee ID badge decals! Starting Nov. 1, new decals will be sent to employees’ home addresses. These decals will be valid through Dec. 31, 2026. New employees will receive them starting at Monday’s orientation.
As a reminder, current badge decals are valid through January 2025. Please email hrsupportservices@rtd-denver.com with any questions.
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Catch up on retirement planning with upcoming Empower events | |
Empower Retirement will provide employees opportunities to learn more about their retirement and associated planning this month. On Oct. 17, RTD’s Empower advisor will visit East Metro from 9 a.m. to noon and Elati from 1 to 4 p.m. Employees can discuss their financial picture and how to get the most out of retirement benefits.
In addition, Empower is hosting the next installment of the 2024 RTD Retirement Education Series 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Oct. 15. The webinar will focus on what retirement readiness looks like.
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From Wellness: Survey extended to Oct. 18 | The survey linked below allows employees to provide feedback on the programs the Wellness team offers. It wraps up Friday, Oct. 18. | |
RTD has a number of solicitations currently underway 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. | | |
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Debra's Quote of the Week | |
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
— Helen Keller
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