Passenger Transport - 01/08/2016

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The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver initiated service on the six routes of Flatiron Flyer BRT on Jan. 3, with free service the following day.

“The opening of the Flatiron Flyer is another milestone for the Denver metro area, RTD and the FasTracks program. We continue to deliver quality services to the community,” said RTD Interim General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Dave Genova. “We look forward to the Flatiron Flyer enhancing the rider’s experience by offering frequent, reliable service along with upgraded stations and brand new buses.”

RTD ambassadors met commuters with information, light refreshments and giveaways throughout the opening week. Ice sculptures were set up at stations for patrons to view and vote on their favorite; the winning sculpture was displayed at the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and VIP event on Jan. 7, as Passenger Transport went to press.

When fully operational, 59 Flatiron Flyer buses from Motor Coach Industries will travel along the route and are expected to carry nearly 11,000 passengers daily. By 2035, the daily ridership is expected to be 20,400. The six routes travel along the same basic corridor but differ in terms of frequency, stations served and starting and ending points.

The stations are equipped with seating, ticket vending machines and digital information displays. Passengers will be able to purchase tickets before boarding the bus, which can speed up boarding times.

RTD worked with Colorado DOT to improve road conditions along the main route for Flatiron Flyer service. The new service operates on 18 miles of express lanes between Denver and Boulder, which also are open to high-occupancy vehicles with two or more passengers and single-occupant vehicles whose drivers pay a toll. Future plans call for widening and reinforcing highway shoulders so buses can drive on them in case of traffic congestion.

The Flatiron Flyer is part of RTD’s multimodal FasTracks project. Four more segments—three commuter rail lines and a light rail extension—are also due to open during 2016.