What We're Doing

Last Updated: November 23, 2020

• We are thankful to be the recipient of $232 million in CARES Act funding, which has been a lifeline to help us absorb the financial hardships of the pandemic. This federal grant funding, which comes with strict reporting guidelines, is intended to help cover the costs of PPE, cleaning supplies and processes, and to keep transit operations going, including keeping people employed. Most of this funding has been dedicated to our operations and maintaining staffing levels. While these relief funds have been a big help, they do not cover our complete financial shortfall, and the CARES Acting funding will be expended by the end of 2020.
  • CARES Act detail (February-September 2020 grant draws)
  • CARES Act overview (grant draws through September 2020)
• RTD's COVID-19 Service Changes is in effect and will be updated as necessary as the pandemic situation evolves.
• Due to the limited supply of available face coverings for sale in the spring, RTD’s upholstery shop made their own. These masks are tied rather than having rubber bands, or elastic, due to shortages of those products. A few hundred have been made for mechanics already.
• We are asking our drivers and our customers to the strongest extent practicable to comply with the Governor’s executive order and wear masks on the RTD system.
• Bus and rail vehicles are cleaned daily, including wiping down handrails and other high-touch surfaces with an industrial-strength disinfectant/antibacterial cleaner.
• RTD has purchased additional sanitation products and disinfectants, including electrostatic cleaning devices.
• We are encouraging staff not to come to work if they develop respiratory symptoms accompanied by a fever. If feeling ill, employees are asked a series of questions regarding their illness to better ascertain the extent of illness to ensure the wellbeing of all employees.
• Employees are encouraged to keep their work stations/areas clean by wiping down surfaces, phones, keyboards, headsets, handles, steering wheels, etc. with disinfectant or sanitizing wipes (Clorox, Lysol, etc.).
• RTD is working with transit agency peers to share lessons learned and best practices.
• We are closely following updates from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Denver Office of Emergency Management to ensure an appropriate response to the coronavirus.
• While there has been a large drop in ridership during the COVID-19 crisis, RTD’s buses, trains and paratransit services remain a vital lifeline for essential commuters, health care workers, public safety employees, government employees, grocery store workers and others continuing operations across the metro region. RTD continues to serve people who must work or take care of others, and for whom other transportation options are severely limited.
• All items – including committee meeting agendas, minutes and full-text transcripts from past meetings – will continue to be posted on the Board of Directors webpage on the RTD website, under “Board Meeting Resources.” All meetings will remain open to the public. To listen in, call 855-962-1128 (no passcode is required).
• Paratransit vehicles are being cleaned and disinfected daily in accordance with RTD’s Pandemic Plan. 

Keeping children safe and healthy on transit is a top priority. As students start heading back to school, it is important for them to follow these safety tips:

• Wear a face covering while using RTD services. 
• Keep at least 6’ from others at all times.
• Allow extra travel time and use trip-planning apps to see how crowded buses are. Vehicle capacity is limited to maintain social distancing and service is running less frequently under the COVID Service Plan. 
• Use contactless payment when possible, like RTD’s Mobile Ticketing app or the reloadable MyRide fare card. 
• At your destination, exit through the rear door to help protect RTD bus operators. 
• Download the RTD Transit Watch app to report safety concerns to Transit Police.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get to school or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
   

• The safety of the traveling public remains a priority for DTO.
• Currently, DTO is performing daily vehicle cleanings, including disinfecting high-touch surfaces, which is part of a regularly scheduled maintenance component.
• DTO is deploying an electrostatic sprayer to clean and sterilize trains during after-hours servicing.
• DTO staff is working closely with suppliers, fabricators and subcontractors to ensure that the operations of the A, B and G lines are not impacted. However, the state of Colorado can enforce a change in service at any time, should they deem it necessary. 
• DTO is continually monitoring the situation and is prepared to partner with community agencies as requested.

• Patrons inside Civic Center Station and the Union Station bus concourse should board the first available bus to their destination and limit the time they spend to no more than 10 minutes prior to the departure of their bus. This is a temporary modification to the existing code of conduct that allows passengers to wait up to two hours for their bus.
• The agency is restricting public access to other RTD buildings, including its headquarters, according to public health guidelines.
• RTD customers in need of new or replacement special discount cards can download an application and follow instructions provided through this webpage, which details all discounted fare programs. For questions about special discounts, please call 303-299-2667.