Low wages and a strong economy are making it hard to find new bus drivers in Denver. The lack of drivers leads to decreased service.
Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) is having trouble hiring drivers. The $19.23 per hour starting wages have not attracted enough bus drivers to fill all the routes and replace drivers retiring. "The Regional Transportation District is short 120 full- and part-time drivers. Without these drivers, some buses and trains never leave the station, leaving passengers waiting and frustrated," reports Andy Bosselman. The labor shortage is having an impact on the ground, "In February, RTD cancelled some buses and trains, totaling 1,204 missed service hours," Bosselman writes. If bus schedules are forced to shrink, that makes transit less attractive in a city that’s already losing bus ridership.
Other American cities are facing a similar problem. Denver is a city with a rising cost of living and a low 3.7 percent unemployment rate. Another issue is the RTD's long hiring process, which loses candidates along the way. The agency has sought to curb this loss by adding electronic hiring capability, but some complain the system is still too slow.
FULL STORY: Colorado’s Bus Driver Shortage. Part 1: The Problem
Denver Bus Driver Shortage Disrupting Service
If there was a Bronco's game on Sunday, you might be late to work Monday, because RTD doesn't have the drivers to cover both rushes.
More Service Cuts Due to Denver's Bus Driver Shortage
Denver transit riders are bearing the brunt of the region's lack of transit drivers.
New Colorado Fossil Fuel Fee Will Fund Transit
Lawmakers say the agreement prevents a drawn-out legislative battle and establishes a new source of transit funding.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)