DENVER — The Denver-area Regional Transportation District may have to cut light rail and bus service because of a shortage of train operators and bus drivers.
Colorado Public Radio reports the RTD will consider a proposal this week to make decrease “significant amounts of service for a temporary period,” according to a staff proposal. With the agency short about 60 light rail operators and 100 bus drivers, workers are required to work mandatory overtime, often working six days a week. But that has not prevented an increasing number of scheduled light rail and bus operations, and is leading to increased turnover. The overtime requirements fall disproportionately on new employees, RTD board member Natalie Menten told the broadcast service, leading some to quit shortly after finishing training.
Menten said she is leaning toward supporting the proposal, but another board member, Angie Rivera-Malpiede said she opposes it because too many people rely on the agency’s services. The board’s Operations & Customer Service Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday; the next full board meeting is Nov. 19.
An RTD spokeswoman said the cuts would likely focus on the least popular routes, but had no specifics on which lines would be affected, or on how long the cuts could last.
Anna, I’d rather be found with Methyltheobromine in my blood system than more Methyl Bromide.
Read somewhere that low unemployment in the Denver area is the biggest issue with hiring and retention in any industry
I think Daniel hit the nail. The mandatory DOT drug test greatly reduces the number of candidates before they enter the work force and get qualified.
PS One of the requirements on CDL’s is employer’s are required to have done a background check on appplicants. One can not have gaps in the background check of no explanation as to what an applicant was doing. (ie you have to show what you were doing during periods of non-employment)
FWIW column San Francisco Muni hires part time transit operators and station agents. Back some years ago it was a good part time job for many whose day job was still awaiting a good payday or two. There was also a ballet dancer, a cello player, bass player, a semi retired travel agent(railfan) and lots of others. Including two recently minted lawyers.
Muni got a good return in many ways. The ballet dancer ended up working full time 30+ years at Muni.
I don’t know if SEPTA or Denver does this.
There’s nothing wrong with the DoT mandatory drug test…what is wrong is that marijuana is still illegal Federally, when(and it is when) it’s made legal nationwide, the only change necessary is that you can’t imbibe within 24 hours operating any machinery. That’s actually how drinking works in some businesses now, no reason you can’t extend the same rule to marijuana and railroading.
I am in favour of the mandatory DOT drug test in the transportation industry as well as in the nuclear industry, and can think of a long list of substances that I would not want found in the bloodstreams of workers in these fields. But really: Methyltheobromine?
The above comments are genetic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. If one-and-a-half dopers smokes one-and-a-half joints in one-and-a-half minutes, how many joints will nine dopers smoke in nine minutes?
Egad! Forsooth! Zounds! So spake Anna!
ANNA – I’m sure RTA would hire you. Send in an application! All of us would write you letters of recommendation!
I wonder if they would hire me …
The above comments are genetic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. The Master of Revels despises us all as vagrants and peddlers of bombast yet my father, James Burbage, had the first licence from His Majesty to form a company of players and he drew from poets of the day the literature of the ages. We must show them we are men of parts. I have a theatre. Will Shakespeare has a play. The Curtain is yours.
If you can’t get and retain qualified people, you have to increase the offer. Also, try getting enough that the overtime isn’t mandatory.
Mister Gless:
I have to, periodically. The thing that consistently comes back is that I have a caffeine load. Well, they’re right. I drink coffee. Believe it or not, that has caused problems with the drug screens, depending on who it is for and why. Aside from that, I don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t do drugs, don’t vape, don’t … Reality is for people who can’t handle drugs.
The above comments are genetic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. The accused will be informed of the absence of his rights under the Uniform Code of Military Toughness.
Can ANYONE pass the drug test? Anyone?! And OT? Whats wrong with OT? If you’re rich and don’t need the money…then yeah, I’d pitch a b*tch but hey, there is a recession right around the corner…make hay while the sun shines…
Anna: I like your revised disclaimer. Nicely done. You have my recommendation for a light rail operator, too.