Excitement Builds As RTD Shows Off New Commuter Train To DIA
DENVER (CBS4) - CBS4 on Tuesday got an exclusive look inside the new commuter train that will run to Denver International Airport. It will start taking passengers to the airport on Friday, April 22.
There are eight stations along on the A Line, which starts at Union Station. Six of the stations will offer Park-n-Ride lots and the first people to ride the train will get to ride for free.
The trains are already running every 15 minutes from Union Station and mass transit users are more than ready to get on board.
"I think it's a huge deal," a woman at Union Station said.
"This is one that we know the whole community is excited about," Regional Transportation District spokesperson Tina Jaquez said.
The new trains feature overhead luggage compartments, bike racks, and train style seating.
Jaquez says opening day will have celebrations and include free rides for passengers on all lines Friday and Saturday.
"We will actually have a ribbon cutting ceremony at three stations," Jaquez said.
To travel the roughly 23 miles from Union Station it will take riders about 37 minutes and carries a $9 price tag each way.
The A Line is just one of four rail line services planned to roll out this year, connecting not only the airport, but Westminster, Wheat Ridge and Aurora.
"It really makes us a big metropolitan city that people can hop on at train and get to downtown, and then arrive at Union Station, which is beautiful," Jaquez said.
The commuter rails are larger and heavier than the light rail, which will come in handy during Colorado winters. RTD says even during last Wednesday's blizzard the A Line was up and running.
