Coronavirus Update: RTD Votes To Cut Services During COVID-19 Pandemic
DENVER (CBS4)- The Regional Transportation District's Board of Directors hosted a special remote meeting on Tuesday to discuss service cuts during the coronavirus pandemic. They voted unanimously to reduce service by about 40 percent from current levels.
The board approved a proposed service reduction that would have originally taken effect on May 17. Starting on April 19, RTD plans to implement the weekend service outlined in the May service changes.
Most bus service will shift to a Saturday schedule and light rail service will run on a Sunday schedule as outlined in the May service change plan.
RTD has reported a 70 percent drop in ridership since March 12. As of last week, the agency is providing about 139,000 rides each weekday compared to 348,000 this time last year.
Many first responders and essential personnel ride RTD. Reduced levels will remain in effect until Sept. 20, however services can be restored sooner if needed.
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The decline in ridership comes as RTD tries to figure out how to cut routes because of a driver shortage.
RTD says drivers who aren't assigned regular routes will be on standby to cover open trips or shifts.
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RTD's A, B and G lines will run at current levels because they are operated by Denver Transit Partners.
More than 1,000 Access-a-Ride trips are being provided each day, although requests are also down.
