RTD establishes committee to oversee state-required paratransit study and service plan
DENVER (Nov. 13, 2026) — The Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board Chair Patrick O’Keefe has established a Paratransit Ad Hoc Committee to provide Board oversight in addition to a state-required independent study of RTD’s paratransit services and the development of an Accessible Transportation Service Plan. Created ahead of key deadlines outlined in SB 26-150, the advisory committee will gather community input, review service performance, and recommend improvements to the Board.
The committee will be chaired by Board Director JoyAnn Ruscha (District B) and include Board Chair Patrick O’Keefe (District H) and Board Director Michael Guzman (District C). Selected community representatives serving as ex-officio members include paratransit customers, disability advocates, subject-matter experts, and members of RTD’s existing advisory committees.
“Paratransit deserves the same level of attention, scrutiny, and investment as every other service we provide. People with disabilities need transportation they can rely on to reach work, medical appointments, and other essential destinations,” Ruscha said. “This committee will bring customers and disability advocates into the review process and monitor progress on the independent study and is a reminder that accessible transit has always been driven by leaders in the disability community who demanded better. This committee is about ensuring RTD delivers safe, reliable, and accountable service for the people who depend on it every day.”
SB 26-150 requires RTD to hire an independent third party by Dec. 31, 2026, to study its paratransit services. The study, due June 30, 2027, will assess customer needs, service gaps, costs, system performance, access to low-income fare discounts, and opportunities for regional partnerships. It will also establish performance measures and incorporate input from customers, people with disabilities, service providers, and other stakeholders.
By Dec. 31, 2027, RTD must use the findings to adopt and begin carrying out an Accessible Transportation Service Plan. The committee will review the study, assess customer experience, and recommend policy and governance improvements. It will report regularly to the Board and prepare a final report with recommendations.
“Improving paratransit requires transparency, accountability, and direct engagement with the people who rely on it,” O’Keefe said. “The committee will provide an opportunity to publicly review findings, monitor progress, and present clear recommendations to the Board.”
RTD offers two paratransit services for people who cannot use fixed-route buses or trains because of a disability. Access-a-Ride is RTD’s federally required, ADA-compliant shared-ride service. Access-on-Demand supplements Access-a-Ride through participating taxi and rideshare companies.
The committee will meet publicly via Zoom at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Dec. 9. RTD will post access information and future meeting dates on its Board Meeting webpage.