Sean Faris named deputy chief of Transit Police | | | | Sean Faris has been selected as deputy chief of the Transit Police Department, Chief of Police and Emergency Management Steve Martingano announced yesterday in an email to his team. “I am excited for Sean to join our agency and assist with police efforts of providing RTD customers and employees a Welcoming Transit Environment,” Martingano wrote. “His years of leadership and experience will serve the agency well into the future, allowing RTD to continue making lives better through connections.” | | Ever wondered how buses are cleaned? It takes many hands | |
As the last buses complete their daily runs and return to their division, the operator’s workday comes to an end. Yet behind the scenes, another dedicated team is just getting started.
From conducting inspections and repairs to refueling and cleaning, it takes a large workforce to guarantee that every bus is ready for service by morning.
| | Security calls, customer reports of drug activity continue to decline | RTD has recorded a decrease in year-over-year customer reports of illicit drug activity for 13 straight months. The latest data show a drop of 65% each month in 2025 as compared with the same period during the prior year. June also marked the first time in more than three years that illicit drug activity was not the most frequently reported type of incident by customers. | | |
RTD continues police cadet program for a second year | For the second consecutive year, the Transit Police Department is offering a cadet program for full-time college students in the Denver metro area pursuing a criminal justice or related degree. The program, spearheaded by Chief of Police and Emergency Management Steve Martingano, allows police cadets to gain insight about day-to-day transit police work and obtain skills essential for a career in public safety or as an officer. Three individuals are participating in the program this year. Click below to read reflections from one cadet, Nicole Mendoza, as to how the experience has been meaningful. |
| | Small Business Opportunity Office (SBO) Manager Alexis Serrano Castro has announced that the prime contractor on the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, the joint venture of FlatironDragados and Herzog, has committed to subcontract 26% of the work to certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms during the design phase and 21% during the construction phase, subject to contract extension. As much as $28 million is expected to reach DBE firms. “This commitment is a great support to local and small businesses in the Denver region,” Serrano Castro said. “This is another way RTD continues to represent value to our community.” |
| August operator graduation ceremony was largest to date | | RTD’s newest bus and light rail operators and N Line conductors were recognized at August’s graduation ceremony, which took place at agency headquarters last Wednesday. Forty-five graduates were recognized across all three modes of transportation. Click the links below to view photos from the ceremony and reception, and click the thumbnail to watch a recording of the ceremony. | | RTD celebrates gate openings at Downtown Boulder Station | |
RTD is recognizing two milestones that will improve accessibility to Boulder via agency services. Last Wednesday, Board Director Lynn Gussinger, second from right, joined City of Boulder council members Ryan Schuchard, Tina Marquis, Matt Benjamin and Nicole Speer; Boulder Chamber Transportation Connections Executive Director Darcy Kitching; Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett; and City of Boulder Interim Director of Transportation & Mobility Valerie Watson at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Downtown Boulder Station, marking the opening of five new bus gates at the facility. These new gates aim to address capacity and operational needs and improve the reliability of regional and local transit services.
Click the thumbnail below to view a video outlining notable adjustments to Boulder routes introduced with the service changes that took effect Sunday, and look to next week’s Inside Connections for a recap of an event that celebrates the return of service to Boulder Junction at Depot Square Station.
| | Welcome to RTD's newest employees | Thirty-one employees joined the agency at yesterday’s orientation. Welcome aboard! | | 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. | | Manager of commuter rail safety shouts out employees for help with crane lifts | On two nights in August, employees from Capital Programs, Light Rail Maintenance Of Way (MOW) and Commuter Rail Safety worked together to ensure a high-risk crane lift went smoothly and without issues. I was the safety representative for the agency and worked with Senior Engineer/Supervisor Joe Clancy from Light Rail MOW, as well as Manager of Construction Matt Druffel in Capital Programs, to ensure two separate lifts were completed without incident. | | Bus operator navigates Colfax construction, providing details in English, Spanish | The operator, Shawn Hughes, was so professional with us on his bus. His qualities include providing route connection and stop information in both English and Spanish, instructing riders to use the front exits for their safety through the Colfax construction, and requesting those playing music on a speaker to please turn off the music in respect for fellow passengers. He calmly and collectively drove through the hectic Colfax construction like a boss. | | Operator of the Month — September 2025: Macario Aguilar | September’s Operator of the Month is Transdev’s Macario Aguilar. Aguilar was selected for his response to a missing person alert in Westminster while on his route earlier last month. While operating his bus, Aguilar noticed that a customer matched the missing person’s description. He contacted dispatch, who relayed the information to the Westminster Police Department and Transit Police. Both departments responded to Aguilar’s bus and recovered the missing person. Thanks to his keen eye for detail and situational awareness, Aguilar was able to locate and assist this individual. | | |
Marco Pedroza Valdez
Sales/Information Representative (formerly Commuter Rail Conductor)
Vincent Ellis
Transit Police Sergeant (formerly Transit Police Officer)
Ian Galgano
Transit Police Sergeant (formerly Transit Police Officer)
Jyotsna Khattri
Market Development Manager (formerly Market Development Supervisor)
Any employees interested in similar opportunities in the future should visit RTD's Careers page.
| | Wellbeing Connection: Healthy aging is the key to longevity | |
September is recognized as Healthy Aging Month, and this year, remember that it is never too late to reinvent oneself. 2025 is about more than just sustaining vitality — it’s transforming one’s future with purpose and excitement.
With 64% of RTD’s employee population being 41 and older, healthy aging is essential to the agency’s strategic priority of Employee Ownership, attracting and retaining a highly skilled and engaged workforce.
Continue reading to learn about what resources RTD offers to help employees age healthily.
| | Ro(a)deo Round-Up: Week of Sept. 1 | Less than 10 days remain until the 2025 Bus Roadeo | |
The biggest event of the summer at RTD is just over a week away! The 2025 Bus Roadeo takes place Saturday, Sept. 13, at District Shops and Platte. RTD’s best operators and mechanics will face off in friendly competition to see who takes the top spot at this year’s event, which begins at 7 a.m.
While registration for the main competitions has closed, slots are still available for the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Auto and Bike Show.
Employees are welcome to bring their families, as there will be activities available for all to enjoy, including:
- Photobooth for memorable keepsakes
- Wellness booth including yard games and prizes
- Face painters and a caricature artist
- Free breakfast and lunch for all attendees and competitors
Click the link below to learn more on the 2025 Ro(a)deos Hub page.
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| 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 | |
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."
— Edith Wharton
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