Inside Connections - August 7, 2024

August 7, 2024

RTD, Denver receive $150M funding allocation for East Colfax BRT

RTD, the City and County of Denver (CCD) and the City of Aurora, along with state and local partners, are celebrating an FTA funding allocation that advances a major effort by the city to bring Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to East Colfax Avenue.

State audit report finds RTD's financial health stronger than many of its peers

A recently completed performance audit conducted by the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) found that the RTD met all nine of the state’s financial health ratios as of calendar year 2022. The comprehensive audit, which was conducted over multiple months between June 2023 and July 2024, also reviewed RTD’s cost efficiency metrics, capital asset projects, budget filing requirements, strategic plan updates and the onboarding of new Board members. Additionally, the audit examined the agency’s progress on implementing recommendations from the 2021 RTD Accountability Committee.

Welcome to RTD's newest employees!

Twenty-five new employees joined the agency at Monday’s orientation. Welcome aboard!

GM/CEO Johnson delivers keynote at Boulder Chamber's first policy forum

On Wednesday, July 31, General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson delivered the keynote address at the Boulder Chamber’s first policy forum, “From Council to Congress.” In her remarks, Johnson described how the current transit landscape is shaping operational realities across the industry; recapped the RTD services being delivered to Boulder; discussed some of the policy changes that emerged from the 2024 state legislative session; and presented attendees with the most recent details concerning the Northwest Rail Project. Also providing remarks were Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett and Boulder County Commissioner Claire Levy.

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.

Accounts Payable team is small but mighty, epitomizes teamwork

Accounts Payable Supervisor Becky Jamieson and her team have done a great job reducing the number of invoices without purchase orders from about 100 a month to around 10. This very small team is accurate, efficient and timely in paying vendors, with everyone chipping in to ensure all tasks are completed within appropriate deadlines.

> Read more <

N Line field supervisor helps reunite mother with children

On Aug. 1, around 10:35 a.m., N Line Field Supervisor Jose Castillo-Morales was performing his duties at Denver Union Station when a woman approached him asking for help because a G Line train departed with her children onboard. She stated that she exited the train to see where the operator was and when she exited the train, the doors closed and it departed with the kids onboard.

> Read more <

August’s Operator of the Month is Ken Pietrovich from the Boulder Division. Pietrovich was selected for his professionalism and courtesy operating a Route AB that was standing room only. He went to extra lengths to make sure customers could get their correct luggage quickly by asking them what their bags looked like as they got off the bus, as well as being friendly and thankful to those who made room to allow customers to get off at their destination.

Meet Ken

Kevin Emery

Lead Instructor/Supervisor, MOW (formerly Instructor/Supervisor, MOW)

Winona Rivera

Manager, Transportation Operating Division (formerly Assistant Manager, Transportation Operating Division)

Derrick Shaw

LRT Field Supervisor (formerly LRT Division Supervisor)

Jeffrey Wineteer

Transit Safety Specialist (formerly Senior Instructor/Supervisor, Signals)

Henry Hendricks

LRT Field Supervisor (formerly LRT Division Supervisor)

Bethany Swank

Procurement Specialist II (formerly Purchasing Agent)

Any employees interested in similar opportunities in the future should visit the Careers page.

15th Street intersection work at Stout and California streets is complete

Rail replacement work on 15th Street at Stout and California streets wrapped up Tuesday, Aug. 6, right on schedule. The conclusion of work on 15th Street puts this summer’s portion of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project over halfway complete, with just two of the five intersections awaiting repairs.

Work on 17th Street at Stout and California streets to begin Aug. 12

Construction on the final segment of Phase 1 of the project begins on Monday, Aug. 12, as crews move to the intersections of 17th Street at Stout and California streets. This work is expected to last approximately three weeks.

For more information, visit rtd-denver.com/railproject.

Latest speed restrictions impacting sections of Southeast, Southwest corridors

As of Aug. 1, four slow zones are in effect on sections of the D, E and H lines. Click below for details.

From Wellness: Parenting, child care resources for employees

The summer heat may still be here, but it’s that time of year again when kids head back to school. This month may bring relief from having to shuffle together summer child care plans, rush to get all those school supplies for the first day and transition kids back into school routines. However, you don’t have to go it alone. Continue reading to learn more about child care and parenting resources available to RTD employees.