RTD partners with National Transit Institute to host Transit Academy
RTD recently welcomed 28 transit professionals from across the country to Denver for Transit Academy, a National Transit Institute (NTI) leadership program designed to foster collaboration and exchange best practices among transit agencies, and showcase how RTD delivers transit service across the Denver metro area.
NTI runs Transit Academy three times per year, coordinating with a different host city for each cohort. Organizers approached RTD earlier this year about hosting the program, citing several major initiatives underway, including construction of the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, and completion of RTD’s inaugural five-year Strategic Plan. RTD’s planning efforts to host Transit Academy began in spring of 2026 under the leadership of Learning and Training Specialist, Allison Korinek, PhD, SHRM-CP.
“Transit sits at the challenging but rewarding intersection of transportation delivery and public service, and as a result it finds itself beholden to an array of stakeholders who, despite sometimes conflicting priorities, must all be taken into consideration,” said Korinek. “Transit Academy provides a rare opportunity for collaboration and consultation between American transit agencies and organizations,” Korinek added.
The agenda was guided by the agency’s four Strategic Initiatives: Service Excellence, Building a Better RTD, Enhancing Public Trust, and Customer and Community Connections. Throughout the week, participants explored how transit agencies navigate service planning, operations, infrastructure, community engagement, and public service challenges, while sharing best practices and lessons learned with peers from across the country.
The attendees were given on-site tours of rail and bus maintenance facilities, Bus-Only Lane Operations (BOLO) stations on East Colfax, and the Security Command Center. The week concluded with an executive roundtable discussion featuring seven members of the agency’s Leadership Team.
“My colleagues deserve much of the credit for the final form of the agenda,” Korinek said. “I was impressed by and appreciative of the time and effort that everyone has put into making this program possible.”
Much like The Eno Center for Transportation’s Multi-Agency Exchange (MAX) program, in which RTD participates, Transit Academy fosters collaboration among agencies facing similar opportunities and challenges. By bringing together transit professionals from across the industry, the program helps participants build relationships, exchange ideas and identify approaches that can strengthen public transportation systems nationwide.
NTI hosts in-person and virtual learning courses throughout the year. RTD employees can take advantage of the agency’s Continuing Education and Professional Development Program, an employee benefit.