The current recession has placed a tremendous economic pinch on public agencies throughout the country, let alone the terrible impact it is having on individuals and families.  RTD is not immune and is watching as its main source of revenue, sales tax, plunges.  The most recent figures for November of 2008 show a nearly 10 percent revenue drop as compared to 2007, and the December figures are expected to be even worse.

I have attached a memorandum that RTD General Manager Cal Marsella recently sent to employees regarding the agency’s response to the current economic challenges.  While none of the budget adjustments are easy, especially when they directly impact customer service and employee incomes, I am pleased that RTD staff is taking a proactive approach that considers the measures other transit agencies are pursuing.  I should note that I am working with my fellow Board Directors to consider cuts we can make in our own office budget, including reduced reimbursement for local activities and travel expenses.

Most critical to RTD customers is Cal’s reference to the staff proposal for a 5 percent cut in RTD transit service, beginning in May of this year.  The specific routes in Boulder County that staff is targeting, amongst 43 impacted routes across the region, are as follows:

• Route 204: Discontinues weekday service prior to 6:00 a.m. and after 9:15 p.m.
• Route 205: Interline with Route 203 weekday evenings and reduce frequency after 9:00 p.m. from 30 to 60 minutes.
• Route 209: Discontinue first morning trip at 6:41 a.m. and combine the existing 6:06 p.m. and 6:36 p.m. trips into one trip at 6:21 p.m.
• Route J: Reblock the 5:39 a.m. southbound and 6:02 p.m. northbound trips.
• Route N: Discontinue the 3:10 p.m. westbound trip and 3:47 p.m. eastbound trips.
• The Lynx: Efficiencies to be determined.
• The SKIP: Reduce weekday frequency between 5:50 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. from once every 10 minutes to once every 15 minutes.

As we are facing unprecedented fiscal challenges, I understand that some service reductions may be inevitable.  I also am mindful that those of us in Boulder County should share the burden with our sister communities.  However, we must avoid making cuts that undermine the integrity of transit service across our community or that appear to be ill-considered in light of ridership trends and other critical service needs. 

The proposed budget cuts will be subject to region-wide hearings in the upcoming weeks.  The specific hearing dates and times will be posted at www.rtd-denver.com.  I urge you to attend these meetings and to voice your opinion regarding the proposed service cuts.  You might also have suggestions for alternative budget savings measures or service adjustments.  Please consider sharing your sentiments with me, as well, so that I can have them in mind as we approach our Board vote on final adoption of the proposed service cuts.

RTD 2009 Budget Challenges