DENVER — The Denver-area Regional Transportation District may have to cut light rail and bus service because of a shortage of train operators and bus drivers.
Colorado Public Radio reports the RTD will consider a proposal this week to make decrease “significant amounts of service for a temporary period,” according to a staff proposal. With the agency short about 60 light rail operators and 100 bus drivers, workers are required to work mandatory overtime, often working six days a week. But that has not prevented an increasing number of scheduled light rail and bus operations, and is leading to increased turnover. The overtime requirements fall disproportionately on new employees, RTD board member Natalie Menten told the broadcast service, leading some to quit shortly after finishing training.
Menten said she is leaning toward supporting the proposal, but another board member, Angie Rivera-Malpiede said she opposes it because too many people rely on the agency’s services. The board’s Operations & Customer Service Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday; the next full board meeting is Nov. 19.
An RTD spokeswoman said the cuts would likely focus on the least popular routes, but had no specifics on which lines would be affected, or on how long the cuts could last.
