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.

1 minute read

December 23, 2019, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A bus next to the re-located light rail station at Denver's Union Station

Jeffrey Beall / Wikimedia Commons

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has announced a new round of transit service cuts to respond to an ongoing driver shortage. The suggested changes, which will be under consideration until a vote by RTD officials in March, are posted online [pdf].

"RTD directors received recommendations of service cuts from agency staff on Thursday evening and they include the elimination of six bus lines, the curtailment of service on 19 other bus lines and service reductions in the R-Line, D-Line and H-Line light-rail corridors," reports John Aguilar.

"The cuts are being considered as one way of dealing with a severe driver shortage on light-rail trains and bus routes throughout the eight-county transit district," explains Aguilar.

Planetizen picked up news of the Denver bus driver shortage in November 2017 and April 2019

Friday, December 20, 2019 in The Denver Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

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).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

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.

5 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

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.

7 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

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.

June 15 - The Washington Post