The MFJS Reporter — Winter 2020 M-W

DENVER: The Denver RTD light rail, a project since October of 1994, has repeatedly struggled with maintaining ample numbers of employees, effecting scheduling and routes.

Employment has been an issue for months, as many local reporters have updated readers on the matter. Back in November, 67 light rail and bus trips were cancelled in one day, causing up to half of delays, reported Chase Woodruff in Westword.

Though this sounds bad, not everyone is upset. Students at the University of Denver still find it reliable.

University of Denver student Gretchen Knowles says she takes the light rail frequently but “never has had a delay.”

This delay isn’t necessarily a bad part on the city of Denver. Unemployment is very low—down to 2.7%—which most economists would say is better than high unemployment rates in the grand scheme of things.

In an article by The Denver Post, reporters explain that dipping into very low unemployment rates leaves no one to do jobs. This is partially due to a lack of needed specialized skills by those who are unemployed and looking to fill jobs.

The Denver Post quotes Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the Business Research Division at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder, who said, “Anything below 3.5% will continue to put incredible stresses on employers and labor markets.”

The issue of low unemployment goes deeper than just the light rail problem, as there are many other jobs that need to be filled. The younger generation will need to be convinced to take these jobs as they begin their search.

Despite some of RTD’s employment and challenges completing all of its routes due to a shortage of employees, college kids still think highly of Denver’s light rail, and they say that RTD woes have not affected their route yet.

University of Denver student Milena Rogers says “I took the light rail every day this summer to work and home because I do not have a car on campus. It has been so convenient for the University of Denver to have its own light rail stop for students like me. I never had a problem with it. No delays, very on time. Sad that’s happening, though”.

Likewise, student Katy Foley says she “takes the light rail to work and does not experience delays.”

Another reason for the shortage is the type work schedule RTD drivers often have to work, as explained by Denver7 News, bus drivers tell Denver7 off-camera it’s hard to retain good drivers because of “mandated” six-day work weeks, graveyard shifts and rude, sometimes aggressive passengers.

There are good opportunities within RTD employment still.  RTD employee Tonilas says “it is tough because you start off with the shifts that aren’t the greatest shifts, but, you move your way up. These are fantastic jobs. They pay very well. You can start out at $20/hour.”Frequent riders were annoyed by the lack of knowledge of cancellations, as there was no way to tell riders in real time about cancellations. They posted these tweets (right) to keep those wondering in the loop.

Denver7 quotes an RTD worker saying, “We have many, multiple groups within RTD working on how we can enhance our real-time signage at the light rail stations, that will significantly improve our ability to give people information in a timely manner.”

The future of RTD workers is unknown but Denver’s population would be lost without this important form of public transportation, especially students. University students rely on this transportation when they do not have cars. Rogers states “I don’t know what I would do without the light rail station being down the street.”