DENVER — The Regional Transportation District cancelled at least 100 light-rail trips on Monday as part of an ongoing operator shortage, the Denver Post reports — just days ahead of an RTD board meeting that will discuss how to respond to the shortage.
The agency is currently collecting opinions from riders about its proposal to temporarily decrease service on some light rail and bus routes [see “Denver RTD seeks comment on possible cuts to light rail, bus service,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 5, 2019]. Those findings will be presented at a Thursday meeting. The RTD is also considering leaving schedules as they are, even if service is not reliable.
The Post reports that the RTD is talking with union representatives about how to address contracts to allow more scheduling flexibility. It notes that shortage issues are most acute on Mondays and Fridays, and that operators only have to provide a 30-minute notice before calling in sick. Unless the agency can find a replacement, cancellatios result.
30 minutes sick notice? Talk about shortages…………..