Denver May Lose Bus + Train Routes Over Lack of Drivers

RTD in Denver is facing a severe driver shortage. The shortage is so severe they may have to eliminate some routes.

In the last 2 1/2 years, RTD has lost 710 bus drivers and 200 train operators. They were only able to hire a percentage of those positions, leaving a lot of drivers and operators having to work overtime.

As you can imagine this causes issues mentally and physically and RTD has reached a point where it has to consider reducing the number of routes available, based on operator availability.

A report from RTD discusses this issue and that with this type of labor shortage, they cannot deliver on the services they are contracted to provide. Having operators work six days a week to cover them all "mandated" overtime. This occurs when you have to work overtime without the ability to refuse.

RTD has another board meeting on Tuesday. It is then the decisions on routes will be discussed.