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RTD's 'A Line' To DIA To Keep Running Despite Software Issues

By Stan Bush

DENVER (CBS4) - The Federal Railroad Administration wants the Regional Transportation District's new commuter lines to keep running despite software problems that have kept the system from running properly.

A Line
A Line train cars (credit: CBS)

The FRA has given RTD three months to fix issues that could have shut the line down.

Crossings on the new A Line to Denver International Airport and one crossing on the B Line have had to be manned by guards because equipment there has repeatedly failed.

RTD A LINE
Copter4 flew over a flagger along the A Line route (credit: CBS)

The FRA is now requiring updates twice a week to ensure the corrections are on schedule.

"This is the first time ever this type of system has been built in the history of the country," said Nate Currey, spokesperson for RTD. "It's built from scratch and we're learning as we go."

The line to the airport has suffered from a series of very public hiccups. First, when a train stopped suddenly on an elevated bridge. A week later a lightning strike shut down service and buses have had to fill in the gaps in service repeatedly every time there has been a problem.

A Line RTD Train Breaks Down
(credit: CBS)

But despite the bad optics more than 20,000 passengers a week are riding the lines. RTD says the new trains have been an overwhelming success.

"Some people might think this is a challenge or an obstacle, but it really is a great opportunity," Currey said.

Stan Bush is a general assignment reporter at CBS4. His stories can be seen on CBS4 News at 10. Read his bio and follow him on Twitter @StanBushTV.

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