RTD Shows Off Luxurious Buses That Could Be Coming To Colorado
DENVER (CBS4) - People who ride the bus could be riding in more luxurious vehicles in the next few years.
The Regional Transportation District is displaying a "Bus Rapid Transit" or BRT bus over the next couple of days. It wants to give the public an idea of the kinds of buses it hopes to have in place when the FasTracks program expands in the coming years.
RTD hopes to use modern, streamlined buses on certain routes in the future. They are routes where they can't put in light rail, but they want to give passengers a similar experience.
"This is a vehicle that represents the vision that RTD has for bus service in the region," said Nadine Lee, RTD Program Manager US 36.
"They can be outfitted with Wi-Fi connection. They're outfitted with camera systems, automatic voice enunciate systems so that the driver doesn't actually have to announce the next stop," Rich Himes with North American Bus Industries said.
The FasTracks project includes 18 miles of BRT from Interstate 25 to Table Mesa in Boulder. The project will extend nearly 11 miles of BRT/express lanes on US 36 from Pecos to 88th. A lane in each direction will be dedicated in part to BRT.
"I think it's a great idea because we can get en route and go straight to Boulder from downtown," public transportation user Christi Busby said. "They need a rail going there since they have one going to Park Meadows. But this is a great idea, the bus is big and roomy, it's clean, so far."
The work on the BRT lanes along US 36 begins this summer.
The high-class buses are more expensive. RTD hopes it can secure some grant money to help purchase some in the future.
The bus will make its way to Boulder, Broomfield, Longmont and Louisville in the next two days. For specific times and locations, visit a special section of RTD's website.
