Light-Rail Proposed Saturday Cuts In Golden To Be Discussed

GOLDEN, CO – Representatives from the Regional Transportation District will be in Golden Wednesday for a public meeting with city officials about proposed service cuts to the W-Line light rail service that terminates at the Jefferson County public offices.

The public is invited to give input into the proposed cuts, which are set to start in May. The meeting takes place at at 6 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers, 911 10th St., in Golden, a statement from the city said.

The proposed changes include trimming down Saturday daytime rail service from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes. The agency believes the service reduction could save $134,000 a year by cutting seven all-day trains to six. Saturday ridership is at levels below RTD standards, the agency said.

The City of Golden says the city planners have "concerns" about the proposal, as well as the abrupt fare increase in a "zone change" which means that the W Line end-of-line station at the Jefferson County Administration Complex has a fare of $5.25 instead of $3.00 for trains traveling to Red Rocks Community College, one stop east.

The proposed cutbacks are part of the RTD overhaul review of service plans for buses and rails that takes place three times per year.

In the case of previous proposed cutbacks (most recently in August 2017) the city said citizen and municipal input convinced RTD not to cut back frequency of the rail service.

Citizen comments about the proposal can be given to RTD representatives at the February 13th meeting, or can be sent directly to the RTD board via email.

Image via City of Golden

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