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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization PlanC I T Y O F B O U L D E R TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: February 14, 2022 AGENDA TITLE: RTD System Optimization Plan (SOP) PRESENTER/S: Erika Vandenbrande, Director of Transportation and Mobility Natalie Stiffler, Deputy Director of Transportation and Mobility Valerie Watson, Transportation Planning Manager Danny O’Connor, Principal Transportation Planner, Transit Program Manager Jean Sanson, Principal Transportation Planner EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is developing a System Optimization Plan (SOP) to define RTD’s bus route network and service levels for the next five years from 2022 to 2027. The SOP recommends restoring service for some routes that have been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, consolidating or discontinuing others, and expanding certain routes to improve service coverage and offerings (see Attachment 1). As currently drafted, the SOP indicates total annual service hours for routes serving Boulder will be restored to approximately 80% of 2019 levels. Six (6) of the twenty-four (24) routes that operated in Boulder are planned to be permanently discontinued or consolidated into other services, and there are critical transit markets in Boulder slated for diminished services. Furthermore, the planned decreased service levels and fewer regional route options will challenge efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through 2027 and beyond. City staff has formerly provided RTD with comments and concerns specific to the draft SOP route recommendations (see Attachment 2). RTD’s public input period for the SOP is scheduled through February 9, 2022. The RTD Board is scheduled to review and approve the SOP in March 2022. TAB discussion and public comment tonight will provide additional opportunity for staff to relay TAB and community feedback and concerns to RTD as they finalize the SOP. Overview of the RTD System Optimization Plan As discussed at the January 2022 TAB meeting, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) is in the process of developing its draft System Optimization Plan (SOP) that will establish bus route service levels for the next five years (2022-2027). Considering RTD’s near-term challenging 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 1 of 56 financial outlook and limited labor force, the SOP is being developed to restore district-wide average service levels to 85% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels. RTD’s current COVID-19 service plan is providing approximately 70% of 2019 levels. Since the COVID-19 service plan took effect in April 2020, RTD routes have been operating with significantly diminished service levels, and many routes remain indefinitely suspended. The SOP is intended to improve RTD bus route service efficiencies and reliability through streamlining routes, standardizing schedules, decreasing, or eliminating less-used services, and reallocating service hours to routes and market areas of greatest need and demand. Consequently, not all routes that operated in 2019 or routes that remain indefinitely suspended are planned to return. Not all geographic markets, including Boulder, will see service levels return to the 85% of pre-pandemic levels prescribed for the entire RTD service area; some markets will see more than 85% and some will see less, as service hours will be reallocated from outlying and suburban markets to urban markets as a function of RTD’s equity policy. RTD released the draft SOP for public comment in January and is accepting comments through February 9, 2022. The SOP can be reviewed, and comments can be provided through an interactive GIS map on RTD’s website at the following link: Social Pinpoint | Reimagine RTD (mysocialpinpoint.com). RTD plans to finalize the SOP and request its Board of Directors to approve the plan in March 2022. SOP Recommendations for Routes Serving Boulder City staff review of the draft SOP route proposals indicates that service hours for routes serving Boulder are planned to be approximately 80% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels, falling short of the district-wide average of 85%. The set of Boulder County route proposals is included in Attachment 1. Planned service changes for the twenty-four (24) routes that have served Boulder are summarized as follows: Routes Being Restored That Have Been Suspended Since April 2020 • Route FF2 – Flatiron Flyer 2 – Downtown Boulder Station/Union Station - Express • Route FF4 – Flatiron Flyer 4 – Boulder Junction/Civic Center Station • Route GS – Golden/Boulder Routes Being Expanded • Route BOLT – Boulder/Longmont: Expanded service and new routing to CU East Campus • Route DASH – Boulder/Lafayette via Louisville: Expanded frequencies and additional coverage in Lafayette • Route JUMP X: New express route between Boulder and Lafayette • Route 208 – Iris Avenue/Valmont Road/Flatiron: Expanded service • Route 225/225T – Boulder/Lafayette/Erie: Expanded service to/from Erie Routes With No Changes from Current Service • Route FF1 – Flatiron Flyer 1 – Downtown Boulder Station/Union Station • Route FF5 – Flatiron Flyer 5 – Downtown Boulder Station/Anschutz 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 2 of 56 • AB1 – Boulder/Denver International Airport • Route NB – Nederland/Boulder • Route BOUND – 30th Street • Route SKIP – Broadway • Route 204 – Table Mesa/Moorhead/N. 19th Street Routes Being Discontinued • Route FF6 – Flatiron Flyer 6 – Boulder Junction/Union Station • AB2 – Boulder Junction/Denver International Airport • Route J – Longmont/East Boulder/CU: Discontinue; consolidate service with BOLT • Route Y- Lyons/Boulder • Route 209 – CU/Thunderbird/Mohawk • Route 236 – Boulder Junction/Table Mesa Park-and-Ride Routes with Segments Being Discontinued • Route JUMP: Discontinued segment to/from Erie to be replaced by Route 225 and reduced service hours; remainder of route alignment unchanged • Route 205 – 28th Street/Gunbarrel: Discontinued segment to/from Heatherwood (Lookout Road/75th Street) to be replaced with on-demand service; remainder of route unchanged • Route 206 – Fairview/Flatiron: Discontinued segment to/from Boulder Junction; remainder of route unchanged Public Comment Themes on the Draft SOP Recommendations for Routes Serving Boulder The city’s Communication & Engagement Department has been publicizing the SOP and public input opportunities through its newsroom, social media channels (Twitter and Facebook), and Community Connectors program. Review of public comments posted on the SOP web-based interactive map include several comments specific to proposals for routes serving Boulder, many of which impact travel options for communities of concern. Following are main themes including the following main themes as of Friday, February 4, 2022: • Concerns about the lack of services planned for Boulder Junction • Concerns about decreased services in East Boulder, including decreased Route JUMP local services via Arapahoe Avenue/CO 7 and the loss of JUMP service between Boulder and Erie • Concerns about service levels planned for CU’s East Campus o Requests for direct service options between Denver and CU’s East Campus via 28th Street/US 36 to be restored as previously provided by Flatiron Flyer 6 • Concerns about Route #205 plans for serving Gunbarrel • Requests for direct service options between East Boulder and CU’s Main Campus • Requests for improved Route AB – Airport/Boulder service 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 3 of 56 Staff Technical Comments Provided to RTD RTD solicited technical comments on the draft SOP from local agency partners by January 21, 2022, and city staff responded with a formal letter (see Attachment 2). A summary of city staff’s comments provided to RTD follows: • SOP proposals calling for the restoration of Routes Flatiron Flyer 2, Flatiron Flyer 4, and GS Golden/Boulder and expanded service for the BOLT route in preparation for CO-119 BRT launch are appreciated and responsive to community needs and recurring public requests in Boulder. • City staff’s primary concerns with the draft SOP center on revisiting route proposal options to better serve the Boulder Junction, East Boulder, and University of Colorado Boulder transit markets where route services remain suspended and diminished due to the RTD COVID-19 Service Plan currently in effect • Request for the SOP to revisit service design options at the Boulder Junction Transit Center and to revise proposals to include meaningful restorations and enhanced new connections for local and regional bus service options. The draft plan does not purposely reactivate transit services at the Boulder Junction Transit Center. Reinstating route services at the Boulder Junction Transit Center has been a repeated, high-priority request from many riders and the City of Boulder since all routes serving Boulder Junction were indefinitely suspended with the RTD COVID-19 Service Plan implemented in April 2020. In 2019, five (5) RTD regional and local routes – Routes AB2, FF4, FF6, 206, and 236 – operated at the Boulder Junction Transit Center. The SOP proposes the return of only one (1) route, Route FF4. Route FF4 is planned to return with 38% less service hours than when it operated in 2019. • Request for the SOP proposal for JUMP route services be revisited and improved to better serve this important transit corridor and to continue momentum for planned CO-7 BRT services. The JUMP route is a critical service connecting Downtown Boulder Station, CU’s East Campus, East Boulder, Erie, and Lafayette via Arapahoe Avenue/CO-7. Review of the proposed service hours indicates that the JUMP route will have 47% less service hours than in 2019, and service to and from Erie will also be discontinued. The proposed decreased service levels for the JUMP route are of significant concern considering the critical mobility needs, limited transit options, and transit markets along the corridor and especially in East Boulder. Demographic analysis indicates that the JUMP serves a corridor with a high propensity for transit need: 28% of population living within ¼-mile of the JUMP route are minority, 22% are low-income, and 53% work in essential jobs. Furthermore, reducing service on the JUMP conflicts with collaborative regional efforts underway to fund and launch CO-7 BRT services on Arapahoe Avenue. • Request for SOP efforts to holistically revisit service options to CU’s Main and East Campuses. Both campuses saw significant transit service reductions with the RTD 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 4 of 56 COVID-19 Service Plan, and the draft SOP does not fully restore or significantly enhance services in campus areas impacted by the pandemic service reductions. Prior to the pandemic, CU’s East Campus was previously served by five (5) RTD routes (Routes 209, J, FF6, JUMP, and BOUND). All but the JUMP and BOUND routes have been suspended with the RTD COVID-19 Service Plan. The draft SOP recommends only the BOUND, a diminished JUMP, and an expanded BOLT serve East Campus. Critical Flatiron Flyer 6 service to Denver and Route 209 connections to campus neighborhoods are planned for discontinuation. Service to the east side of CU’s Main Campus via 28th Street/US 36 remains suspended due to the COVID-19 Service Plan. Routes FF4, FF6, AB2, and 236 operating out of Boulder Junction previously provided service along this important gateway to CU’s Main Campus, and only the FF4 with reduced services is planned to return to this corridor per the SOP recommendations. • Concerns about the compressed timeframe and limited mechanisms for soliciting SOP public input ahead of final plan development and RTD Board adoption were also raised with a request for the public input process to be extended and include expanded public information materials and mediums. TAB ACTION REQUESTED: Consider public discussion and formulating comments related to the SOP for staff to provide to RTD. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Reimagine RTD System Optimization Plan Route Recommendations (DRAFT) – Boulder County Attachment B: City of Boulder technical comments on RTD Draft System Optimization Plan (SOP), January 21, 2022 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 5 of 56 Reimagine RTD System Optimization Plan Route Recommendations (Draft) Boulder County December 15, 2021 Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 6 of 56 Guiding Principles Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 7 of 56 SOP Supports Strategic Priorities Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 8 of 56 Why a System Optimization Plan (SOP)? •Reverse / mitigate trends of ridership loss •Improve service performance ​ / efficiency •Ensure fiscal sustainability •Address changing travel market demands •Remain competitive •Improve service quality Step 1Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment of Existing Services Step 2Review Existing Travel Patterns Against Services Step 3Review Financial Capacity Step 4Discuss Community and Agency Goals and Values Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 9 of 56 SOP Recommendations System Structure •Modify RTD’s Family of Services into four travel market- based service categories •Support well-defined transit transfer hubs for connectivity between different category routes •Retain clock-faced headways •Define consistent minimum spans of service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 10 of 56 SOP Bus Design Objectives Simplification Well-defined corridor routes Consistency Fewer irregular trip patterns Consistent service spans Reliability Elimination of long routes Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 11 of 56 Managing Expectations for “Rebuilding Service” ▪ • ▪ • • ▪ • • Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 12 of 56 Managing Expectations for “Rebuilding Service” (cont.) ▪ • ▪ ••▸▸▸ Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 13 of 56 Draft Travel Market Service Categories Service Category Category Description Core High-frequency regionally focused local bus and rail routes that provide a guaranteed base level of mobility with a minimum 18 -hour span of service, minimum 15-min peak and midday weekday frequency, service seven days a week 🔍Examples: Flatiron Flyer, 15, E, 30/31 Connect Regionally focused local bus and rail routes with a minimum 14 -hour span of service (6AM to 8PM) 🔍Examples: 100, 24, 92 Commute Regional bus routes with limited stop spacing focused on serving a unique travel market (e.g., downtown workforce, DEN workforce and travelers) 🔍Examples: SkyRide, P, LX Community Community-focused local routes with custom-built span of service, frequency, and days of service to meet local needs 🔍Examples: 16th St. Mall Ride, Longmont local routes, Boulder local routes, 402L, FlexRide services, MOD ridehailing partnerships Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 14 of 56 2027 SOP Network SOP Revenue Bus-Hours by Service Type (Fixed Route) •Revenue bus-hours 85% of 2019 (pre-COVID) •Flatter service profile •Weekday peak-to-base bus ratio: from 1.8 to 1.35 •Weekday to Saturday hours ratio: from 1.81 to 1.44 CONNECT CORE COMMUTE COMMUNITY Service Weekday Saturday Sunday Annual Type Rev. Hrs.Rev. Hrs.Rev. Hrs.Rev. Hrs. Core 3,056 2,163 1,788 995,545 Connect 2,898 2,241 1,797 959,807 Commute - 2 Dir.305 248 177 100,929 Commute - 1 Dir.72 16 16 20,091 Community 848 404 280 253,431 Community - FMR 51 0 0 13,004 Community - Mall 209 114 112 65,714 Total 7,439 5,186 4,169 2,408,521 2,841,893 Total Revenue Hours 2,408,521 Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 15 of 56 RTD’s Title VI Service Equity Policies Major Service Change Policy: ▪25% + or -in the service hours of any route that would remain in effect for 12+ months Disparate Impact/Disproportionate Burden Policies : ▪Increases –equity populations receive no less than 10 percent of non-equity populations ▪Decreases -equity populations receive no more than 10 percent of non -equity populations Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 16 of 56 Methodology Quarter of a mile route buffer around a route ▪Disparate Impact +Disproportionate Burden = Thresholds to Evaluate Possible Impacts ▪Route-level analysis applied per RTD Title VI Program ▪Additional analyses that exceeded RTD requirements ▪Corridor analysis▪Network analysis Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 17 of 56 Route -Level Analysis ▪For each route with major changes: route equity/non-equity populations as a share of Districtwide equity/non-equity populations = Percent of Affected Populations ▪Impact thresholds are within 10% of non- equity affected population percentages ▪All routes with affected equity populations above threshold are flagged for potential impact review 13 12B 12A 12B 38th/Blake Stn Alameda Stn Englewood Stn Overlap Segment: Colfax to Alameda Service Change: +47% (segment only) 12A –Downing/Alameda Stn Service Change: -22% (seg. only) Min. population: 23,945 District min. pop: 1,078,739 % of District Minority Population Affected: 2.22% Impact threshold: 2.67% 12B –Downing/Englewood Stn Service Change: -31% (seg. only) Min. population: 8,550 District min. pop: 1,078,739 % of District Minority Population Affected: 0.79% Impact threshold: 1.41% Block Groups with Major Service Increase Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 18 of 56 Route -Level Analysis ▪For each route with major changes: route equity/non -equity populations as a share of Districtwide equity/non -equity populations = Percent of Affected Populations ▪Impact thresholds are within 10% of non -equity affected population ▪All routes with affected equity populations above threshold are flagged for potential impact review 3W 3W –West Alameda Ave Service Change: +56% Min. population: 14,528 District min. pop: 1,078,739 % of District Minority Population Affected: 1.35% Impact threshold: 0.69% Block Groups with Major Service Increase Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 19 of 56 Corridor and Network Analyses ▪Change in service levels within each block group provides geographic basis of service impacts ▪Major service increases and decreases reviewed for aggregate impacts to equity populations ▪Reviews made at corridor level aggregate all service level changes along a route’s corridor to review impacts to overlapping routes (e.g., Routes 0 + 0L comprise a corridor of service) ▪Reviews at network level review all impacted block groups and routes for service changes potentially impacting equity populations Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 20 of 56 Title VI Summary Low-income and Minority Equity Groups ▪Districtwide, gain more trips compared to non -equity groups ▪Fewer major service reductions ▪Fewer major service increases ▪Service change analysis at route-pattern level: •Of 29 major decreases, 13 have potential disparate impact findings, 9 have potential disproportionate burden findings ▪Corridor-level analysis (e.g., 0+0L or 153SL + 153LL): •Of 12 major decreases, 4 have potential disparate impact findings, 4 have potential disproportionate burden findings Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 21 of 56 Route Reason Not Included 128 Poor performance pre-COVID (275 boardings), covered by Broomfield FlexRide 209 CU campus area route Y Replaced with partnership MOD Taxi Voucher program LD2 LD1 proposed in SOP. Monitor LD1 performance before bringing back LD2 122X 120X service frequency improvements proposed in SOP. Monitor 120x performance before bringing back 122X 205T Eliminate due to reduced demand. Possible market for alternative service delivery J Folded into SR 119 BOLT service plans FF 6 and 7 Supplemental service patterns not needed until ridership demand returns PRE-PANDEMIC ROUTES NOT I NCLUDED IN SOPAttachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 22 of 56 Route Reason Not Included 14 High productivity segments reassigned to Route 11 and Route 4/36 16L Coverage maintained with Routes 16 and 16G 29 Replaced by restructured Federal Corridor routes 30/31 30L Replaced by restructured Federal Corridor routes 30/31. Bear Valley segment reassigned to Route 35 36L Replaced by restructured Federal Corridor routes 30/31 67 Eliminate due to low pre-COVID service productivity. Possible alternative service delivery to hospital 87L Service on Wadsworth maintained via Route 76 100L Service maintained via Route 99 PRE-PANDEMIC ROUTES NOT I NCLUDED IN SOPAttachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 23 of 56 Route Reason Not Included 116X Eliminate due to low pre-COVID service productivity 125 Eliminate due to low pre-COVID service productivity. Possible market for alternative service delivery 401 Eliminate due to low pre-COVID service productivity. Possible market for alternative service delivery 157 Eliminated as part of the Pandemic runboard due to poor performance, operational challenges; partially replaced with 169/169L along Centretech Pkwy ATA Coverage maintained with full -length AT LRT C and F Reduction in service patterns proposed as a means to improve rail service reliability PRE-PANDEMIC ROUTES NOT I NCLUDED IN SOP Note: Routes 55, 62, 236 and 403 were operating in early 2020 but were planned to be discontinued pre -pandemic Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 24 of 56 RAIL 20 What is the current service? •In response to the pandemic, LRT rail lines were consolidated, and frequencies modified •Consolidation was recommended in the SOP as a measure to improve service reliability •G Line service frequencies have also been reduced to 30-minutes in response to the pandemic What is proposed? •Current light rail service patterns and frequencies remain in place •Commuter rail service frequencies remain in place, with the exception of the G line, which returns to 15-minute frequencies •When finances allow, frequencies on light rail patterns are recommended for improvements to 10 minutes Light Rail Service Plan Weekday Peak and Midday Service Proposed 2027 Alignments Note: All rail lines considered Core, except for the B, N and R Lines which are classified as Connect Lines, for they do not operate at 15-minute or better frequencies Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 25 of 56 ROUTE FF –Flatiron Flyer What is the current service? •Route FF1 operates from the Downtown Boulder Station to Union Station, making stops at all US 36 BRT stations •Route FF 5 presently operates to Anschutz Medical Campus in the peak periods •All other FF route patterns have been suspended due to Covid-19 What is proposed? •Five FF patterns are proposed to improve service availability: •FF1 provides all-day, all stop service to all US 36 BRT stations •All Intermediate stops •FF2 provides 10-min. peak direction express service from Boulder Station •Intermediate stops at Table Mesa and McCaslin •FF3 provides 10-min. peak direction express service from Broomfield •Intermediate stop at Sheridan •FF4 provides 10-min. peak direction express service from Boulder Junction •Intermediate stops at Table Mesa, McCaslin, Broomfield & Sheridan •FF5 provide 30-min. peak direction service to Anschutz •All intermediate Stops Proposed Service Plan (FF1 Only) Core Network Connections (FF1): •Dash at Downtown Boulder Station •Denver Union Station Proposed Alignment All other FF Patterns operate only in the peak periods at service levels identified above Core Route FF1 - Flatiron Flyer DBS-DUS All-Station Service Class: Core Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 5:00 am 12:30 am 15 15 15 30 5:00 am 12:30 am 30 15 15 30 6:00 am 12:00 am 30 30 30 60Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 26 of 56 ROUTE DASH –BOULDER/LAFAYETTE VIA LOUISVILLE What is the current service? •The DASH provides service between the Downtown Boulder Station and the Lafayette Park-n-Ride •This route presently operates at 15-minute weekday headways in the peak periods and 30-minute headways in the midday period •Every other peak period trip turns back at Manhattan and South Boulder What is proposed? •The alignment is modified in Lafayette to provide additional service to residential areas •The Lafayette end-of-line layover is located on 120th St., where a new bus layover facility is planned •15-minute weekday service is proposed along the entire alignment to improve service frequency Proposed Service Plan Core Network Connections: •Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station Proposed Alignment Core Route Dash - Boulder / Lafayette via Louisville Lafayette PnR / Dwtwn Boulder Service Class: Core Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 5:00 am 12:00 am 15 15 30 60 6:00 am 12:00 am 60 30 60 60 6:00 am 12:00 am 60 60 60 60 Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Sunday: Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 27 of 56 ROUTE 205 –28th St./Gunbarrel What is the current service? •Route 205 operates from the Downtown Boulder Station to the Gunbarrel community •Prior to the pandemic, a “T” pattern operated along Spine Rd. •Weekday headways are 30 minutes What is proposed? •No alignment or frequency changes are proposed •Supplemental Mobility-on-Demand service (e.g., FlexRide) is proposed in the Gunbarrel area Proposed Service Plan Connect Core Network Connections: •Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station •DASH at Downtown Boulder Station Proposed Alignment Route 205 - 28th St/Gunbarrel Boulder/Gunbarrel via Jay Road Service Class: Connect Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 12:00 am 30 30 30 60 6:00 am 9:00 pm 30 30 60 60 7:00 am 9:00 pm 60 60 60 60Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 28 of 56 ROUTE 225/225T –Boulder/LaFayette/ Erie What is the current service? •Route 225 operates from Downtown Boulder to the Lafayette PnR •Weekday headways are 15-minutes in the peak periods and 30- minutes in the midday period •Select trips include service to Tenino/Oneida and to Diamond Circle/Aspen Ridge (Walmart) What is proposed? •All trips include service to Diamond Circle/Aspen Ridge (Walmart) •Proposed weekday headways are 30-minutes •The Route 225T pattern to Erie operates at 30 -minute peak period headways Proposed Service Plan Connect Core Network Connections: •DASH at Downtown Boulder Station and Lafayette PnR •Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station Proposed Alignment Route 225 - Boulder/Lafayette & Erie via Baseline Boulder/Lafayette via Baseline Service Class: Connect 225: Boulder to LaFayette 225T: Boulder to Erie Service Levels (minutes)Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 11:00 pm 30 30 60 60 30 n/a n/a n/a 6:00 am 11:00 pm 60 30 60 60 n/a n/a n/a n/a 8:00 am 9:00 pm 60 60 60 60 n/a n/a n/a n/a Span of Service Weekdays: Saturday: Sunday: Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 29 of 56 ROUTE BOLT What is the current service? •The BOLT operates between Longmont and Downtown Boulder •Weekday headways are 30 minutes •The SH 119 corridor study completed in 2019 proposes a phased implementation of BRT service What is proposed? •The initial phase towards BRT service is proposed, with the introduction of a new pattern that operates along Hover Rd. in Longmont and to CU East Campus in Boulder •Service to CU East is initially proposed at 30-minute frequencies •Supplemental peak period, peak direction service is also proposed on the pattern to downtown Boulder •New facilities are assumed at Hwy 66/Main St. (PnR ) and at 1st and Coffman (Longmont transit center) Proposed Service Plan Connect Core Network Connections: •Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station •DASH at Downtown Boulder Station Proposed Alignment Route Bolt - Boulder / Longmont Longmont-Boulder Service Class: Connect Longmont to Downtown Boulder Longmont to CU East Campus Service Levels (minutes)Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late Peak Midday Evening Late 5:00 am 12:00 am 15/30*30 30 60 30 n/a n/a n/a 6:00 am 11:00 pm 30 30 30 60 n/a n/a n/a n/a 6:00 am 11:00 pm 30 30 30 60 n/a n/a n/a n/a * Pattern to Downtown Boulder operates at 15-min. frequencies in peak direction, 30 min. in reverse peak direction. ** Pattern to CU East Campus operates at 30-min. frequencies in peak direction only. Weekdays: Saturday: Span of Service Sunday: Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 30 of 56 ROUTE AB –BOULDER/DEN What is the current service? •Route AB operates from the Downtown Boulder Station to Denver Airport, with stops at three US 36 Stations •Prior to the pandemic there was a route pattern that served Boulder Junction Station •Weekday headways are generally 60 minutes, with 30 -minute frequencies during peak travel demand periods What is proposed? •No alignment or service frequency changes are proposed Proposed Service Plan Commute Core Network Connections: •Dash at Downtown Boulder Station •Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station and US 36 stops •A Line at Denver International Airport Proposed Alignment Route AB - Boulder/Denver Airport Boulder Table Mesa /DIA Service Class: Commute - 2 Dir. Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 3:00 am 12:00 am 30 60 60 60 3:00 am 12:00 am 60 60 30 60 3:00 am 12:00 am 60 60 30 60Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 31 of 56 ROUTE GS –GOLDEN/BOLDER What is the current service? •Route GS is currently suspended due to the pandemic What is proposed? •Route GS is brought back to service, operating its pre -pandemic alignment to restore service coverage •Three round trips are proposed in each peak period Proposed Service Plan Commute Core Network Connections: •DASH and Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station •G Line at Federal Center Station •Routes 3W, 21W and 16G at Federal Center Station Proposed Alignment Route GS - Golden/Boulder Golden/Boulder Service Class: Commute - 2 Dir. Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 6:00 pm 60 0 0 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Route currently suspended Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 32 of 56 ROUTE JUMP X What is the current service? •The Jump operates from Downtown Boulder Station to BVSD at 15-minute frequencies. In the peak periods, every other trip continues east to either Lafayette or Erie. In the midday, every 4 th trip continues east to Lafayette •Weekday headways are 15 minutes to BVSD, 30 minutes in the peak periods and 60 minutes in the midday period to Lafayette, and 30 minutes in the peak periods to Erie What is proposed? •In conjunction with changes to Route 225, the Jump is modified as two separate route patterns –the Jump (Community route) and Jump X (Commute route). •The Jump X operates to the Lafayette Park-n-Ride at 30-minute frequencies in the peak periods only Proposed Service Plan Commute Core Network Connections: •Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station •DASH at Downtown Boulder Station and Lafayette PnR Proposed Alignment Route Jump X - Boulder/LaFayette via Arapahoe Boulder/LaFayette via Arapahoe Service Class: Commute - 2 Dir. Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 6:00 pm 30 0 0 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 33 of 56 ROUTE LBR –LONGMONT/BROOMFIELD What is the current service? •This route presently operates from Longmont to the US 36 and Broomfield Station, with two southbound a.m. trips and two northbound p.m. trips continuing to/from Denver Union Station •Weekday headways are generally 60 minutes, with supplemental service in the peak direction during peak periods What is proposed? •Service in Longmont would begin at the proposed new Park-n- Ride at Hwy 66 and Main St., and continue south to the US 36 and Broomfield Station •Proposed headways along the entire route are 60 minutes, with 30-minute peak period, peak direction headways south of the Lafayette Park-n-Ride Proposed Service Plan Commute Core Network Connections: •DASH at Lafayette PnR •Flatiron Flyer at US 36 and Broomfield Station Proposed Alignment Route LBr - Longmont / Broomfield Longmont/US 36 & Broomfield Service Class: Commute US 36/Broomfield to Lafayette PnR Lafayentte PnR to Longmont Service Levels (minutes)Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late Peak Midday Evening Late 5:00 am 11:00 pm 30/60*60 60 60 60 60 60 60 8:00 am 6:00 pm 60 60 0 0 60 60 0 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a * Service south of Lafayette PnR is 30 minutes in peak direction, 60 min. in reverse peak direction. Weekdays: Saturday: Span of Service Sunday: Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 34 of 56 ROUTE LX1 –LONGMONT/DENVER What is the current service? •This route is currently suspended due to the pandemic What is proposed? •Reinstate route to restore service coverage •Commute service would begin from the proposed SH 66/Main St. Park-n-Ride to Denver Union Station •Service would provide 3 to 4 peak period, peak direction trips Proposed Service Plan Commute Core Network Connections: •Core routes at Denver Union Station Proposed Alignment Route LX1 - Longmont I-25 Express N. Longmont/Denver Service Class: Commute - 1 Dir. Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 5:30 am 6:00 pm 60 0 0 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Route currently suspended Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 35 of 56 ROUTE NB –NEDERLAND /BOULDER What is the current service? •Route NB operates from the Downtown Boulder Station to Nederland, with select service to Eldora during ski season •Weekday headways are generally 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the time period What is proposed? •No changes are proposed to the alignment or service frequencies between Nederland and Downtown Boulder Station •Service west to Eldora should be part of a cost sharing agreement Proposed Service Plan Commute Core Network Connections: •Flatiron Flyer and DASH at Downtown Boulder Station Proposed Alignment Route NB - Nederland/Boulder Nederland/Boulder Service Class: Commute - 2 Dir. Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 5:30 am 11:00 pm 60 120 120 120 7:00 am 11:00 pm 60 120 120 120 7:00 am 9:00 pm 60 120 120 120Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 36 of 56 ROUTE 204 –TABLE MESA/MOORHEAD / N. 19TH ST. What is the current service? •Route 204 operates from Broadway and Front Range Ave. to the US 36 and Table Mesa station •Weekday headways are 15 minutes in the peak periods and 30 minutes in the midday period •On weekends, service is truncated at Downtown Boulder Station What is proposed? •No changes are proposed to the alignment or service frequencies Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •DASH and Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station and Table Mesa Station Proposed Alignment Route 204 LL - Table Mesa/Moorhead/North19th Table Mesa/Downtown Boulder/Lee Hill Dr Service Class: Community Broadway/Front Range Ave. to DBS DBS to Tabel Mesa Service Levels (minutes)Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 9:00 pm 15 30 30 30 15 30 30 30 n/a n/a 60 60 60 60 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 60 60 60 60 n/a n/a n/a n/a Span of Service Weekdays: Saturday: Sunday: Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 37 of 56 ROUTE 206 –FAIRVIEW H.S./FLATIRON What is the current service? •Route 206 operates from Arapahoe and 55th to Fairview High School •Weekday headways are 30 minutes in the peak periods only What is proposed? •No changes are proposed to the alignment or service frequencies Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •Route DASH and Flatiron Flyer at S. Broadway St. Proposed Alignment Route 206 - Fairview H.S./Flatiron Fairview H.S./Flatiron Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 6:00 pm 30 0 0 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 38 of 56 ROUTE 208 –IRIS AVE./VALMONT RD./ FLATIRON What is the current service? •Route 208 operates from the Downtown Boulder Station to Arapahoe and 55th •Weekday headways are 60 minutes What is proposed? •No changes are proposed to the alignment or service frequencies •Span of service is expanded to improve service accessibility Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •DASH and Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station Proposed Alignment Route 208 - Iris/Valmont/Flatiron DBS/Iris/Flatiron Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 8:00 pm 60 60 60 0 8:00 am 6:00 pm 60 60 0 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 39 of 56 ROUTE 228 –LOUISVILLE/MCCASLIN What is the current service? •Route 228 operates from the US 36 and Flatiron Station to Louisville, with a stop at the US 36 & McCaslin Station •Weekday headways are 60 minutes What is proposed? •Route 228 is extended to Arapahoe and 95th to improve service coverage •Headways remain at 60 minutes, Monday through Saturday Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •Flatiron Flyer at US 36/Flatiron Station •DASH at South Boulder Rd. Proposed Alignment Route 228 - Erie/Louisville/McCaslin Erie/Louisville/McCaslin Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 8:00 pm 60 60 60 0 8:00 am 8:00 pm 60 60 60 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 40 of 56 ROUTE 323 –PRATT PKWY./ALPINE ST. What is the current service? •Route 323 provides local service in Longmont •Weekday headways are 60 minutes What is proposed? •This route’s alignment is modified to include stops at the proposed 1st and Coffman transit center and the SH 66 and Main St. Park-n- Ride lot to improve connections •Weekday headways remain at 60 minutes Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •None Proposed Alignment Route 323 - Pratt Pkwy/Alpine South Pratt Pkwy/1st/Coffman/Alpine Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 8:00 pm 60 60 60 0 8:00 am 6:00 pm 60 60 60 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 41 of 56 ROUTE 324 –N. MAIN ST./PIKE RD. What is the current service? •Route 324 provides local service in Longmont, primarily along Main St. •Weekday headways are 30 minutes What is proposed? •This route’s western alignment is modified to begin/end near Hover and Nelson •This route’s alignment assumes implementation of the SH 66 and Main St. Park-n-Ride lot and the 1st and Coffman transit center •Weekday headways remain at 30 minutes Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •None Proposed Alignment Route 324 - N. Main/Pike North Main/1st/Coffman/Pike Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 8:00 pm 30 30 60 0 8:00 am 6:00 pm 60 60 60 0 8:00 am 6:00 pm 60 60 0 0Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 42 of 56 ROUTE 326 –FRANCIS S T./HOVER S T. What is the current service? •Route 326 provides local service in Longmont •Weekday headways are 30 minutes What is proposed? •This route’s alignment is modified to include stops at the proposed 1st and Coffman transit center and the SH 66 and Main St. Park-n- Ride lot •Weekday headways are 60 minutes Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •None Proposed Alignment Route 326 - Francis/Hover 1st Ave/Hover St/21st Ave. Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 8:00 pm 60 60 60 0 8:00 am 6:00 pm 60 60 60 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 43 of 56 ROUTE 327 –LASHELY S T. What is the current service? •Route 327 provides local service in Longmont •Weekday headways are 60 minutes What is proposed? •This route’s alignment is modified to include stops at the proposed 1st and Coffman transit center and the SH 66 and Main St. Park-n- Ride lot to improve connections •Weekday headways are 60 minutes Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •None Proposed Alignment Route 327 - Lashely 1st Ave/Lashley St/Ute Hwy Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 8:00 pm 60 60 60 0 8:00 am 6:00 pm 60 60 60 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 44 of 56 ROUTE 328 –KEN PRATT BLVD . E AST What is the current service? •This route presently does not operate What is proposed? •This is a proposed new route that provides service between the proposed 1st and Coffman transit center and the Walmart center, located on Ken Pratt Blvd. to improve service coverage •Weekday headways are 30 minutes Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •None Proposed Alignment Route 328 - Ken Pratt East 12t/Coffman Ken Pratt East Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 10:00 pm 30 30 30 60 8:00 am 8:00 pm 60 60 60 60 8:00 am 6:00 pm 60 60 0 0Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 45 of 56 ROUTE BOUND What is the current service? •The Bound operates along 30th St. in Boulder •Weekday headways are 15 minutes What is proposed? •No alignment or service frequency changes are proposed Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •DASH and Flatiron Flyer at S. Broadway St. Proposed Alignment Route Bound - 30th Street Broadway-Baseline / 30th-Iris Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 5:00 am 12:00 am 15 15 15 30 6:00 am 12:00 am 30 30 30 30 6:00 am 12:00 am 30 30 30 30Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 46 of 56 ROUTE SKIP What is the current service? •The Skip provides high frequency service along Broadway in Boulder •Weekday headways are 5 to 10 minutes What is proposed? •No changes are proposed to the route alignment •Weekday headways are 10 minutes or better Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •DASH and Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station Proposed Alignment Route Skip - Broadway Front Range/Broadway to Fairview HS Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 5:30 am 12:00 am 7.5 10 15 15 6:00 am 12:00 am 30 15 15 30 7:00 am 11:00 pm 30 15 30 30Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 47 of 56 ROUTE JUMP Community Core Network Connections: •DASH and Flatiron Flyer at Downtown Boulder Station Proposed Alignment Route Jump ST - Boulder/LaFayette via Arapahoe Boulder/Tech Center Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 11:00 pm 30 15 30 30 8:00 am 8:00 pm 30 30 30 0 8:00 am 6:00 pm 30 30 0 0Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service What is the current service? •The Jump operates from Downtown Boulder Station to BVSD at 15 - minute frequencies. In the peak periods, every other trip continues east to either Lafayette or Erie. In the midday, every 4th trip continues east to Lafayette •Weekday headways are 15 minutes to BVSD, 30 minutes in the peak periods and 60 minutes in the midday period to Lafayette, and 30 minutes in the peak periods to Erie What is proposed? •In conjunction with changes to Route 225, the Jump is modified as two separate route patterns –the Jump (Community route) and Jump X (Commute route) •The Jump (Community route) operates to BVSD at 30-minute frequencies in the peak period and 15-minute frequencies in the midday period •The Jump X provides supplemental peak period service, resulting in a combined 15-minute peak period service frequency Proposed Service Plan Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 48 of 56 FREE MALLRIDE (MALL) What is the current service? •The Free Mall Ride operates end to end between DUS and Civic Center on 16th St. •This free service operates every other light cycle during peak periods, and between 3-15 minutes all other times What is proposed? •No changes are proposed to the route alignment •Weekday headways are 3 minutes all day, tapering to 12 -15 minutes later in the day Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •Core routes in Downtown Denver Proposed Alignment Route Mall - Free MallRide Free MallRide Civic Center/Union Statn Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 5:00 am 1:00 am 3 3 12 15 5:00 am 1:00 am 5 5 5 15 6:00 am 1:00 am 15 5 5 15Sunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 49 of 56 FREE METRORIDE (FMR) What is the current service? •This route is currently suspended due to the pandemic What is proposed? •Reinstate route to restore service coverage •No changes are proposed to the previous route alignment •Service is offered in the weekday peak period only at 5-minute headways Proposed Service Plan Community Core Network Connections: •Core routes in downtown Denver Proposed Alignment Route FMR - Free MetroRide Free MetroRide Union Stn/Civic Center Service Class: Community Service Levels (minutes) Peak Midday Evening Late 6:00 am 6:00 pm 5 0 0 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/aSunday: Saturday: Weekdays: Span of Service Route currently suspended Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 50 of 56 MOBILITY-ON-DEMAND DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS Potential New / Expanded FlexRide or MOD Service Areas MOD Zone Primary Core Connection Pts.Service Need West Highlands Ranch Littleton-Mineral Station Helps replace routes 401 and 403, and expands connectivity to Routes 0 and 402L SE Littleton Littleton-Mineral , Littleton-Downtown Stations Helps replace routes 67 and 401 and enhances existing service options in the area West Hampden Englewood, Oxford Stations Restores connections for realigned route 35 and truncated route 51 while enhancing service options in the area South Jeffco –expand and split into two zones Littleton-Downtown Station Helps replace Route 116x, improves coverage in area Crown Hill Oak Station Restores connections with truncated Routes 20, 28 and 32, and eliminated Route 125 Golden –expand east along W. 6th Federal Center, Red Rocks, Jeffco Gov't. Stations, Oak Station Replaces 125 while expanding service options in the area Smith Rd. route deviation Central Park and 40th /Colorado Stations Deviation expands existing Route 37 service coverage in area Gunbarrel Downtown Boulder Station Helps replace Route 205T and enhances existing service options in area Commerce City Commerce City/72nd Station No route replacement. Enhances existing service options in area Erie/Lafayette US 36 & McCaslin and US 36 & Flatiron Stations Proposed new FlexRide in area to improve service connectivity options. US 36 FlexRides Aggregate into larger zones No route replacement. Improves service connectivity options for area. Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 51 of 56 47 MOBILITY-ON-DEMAND DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS MOD Service Expansion Process Potential MOD Zone Expansion Existing FLexRide Zones •Current FlexRide Rev. Hours = 75,000 (Fall 2021) •Additional FlexRide/MOD service to be evaluated through partnerships Attachment A: RTD Recommendations (DRAFT) Boulder County 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 52 of 56 1101 Arapahoe, Boulder CO 80302 | bouldercolorado.gov | 303-441-3200 -1 - January 21, 2022 Debra Johnson, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Regional Transportation District 1660 Blake Street Denver, CO 80202 RE: City of Boulder technical comments on RTD Draft System Optimization Plan (SOP) Dear Ms. Johnson, The City of Boulder very much values our continued partnership with RTD and appreciates your invitation to include us as part of the technical review process for the Reimagine RTD System Optimization Plan (SOP). Thank you for allowing additional time for our staff to fully review the draft SOP and offer technical comments on its content and recommendations. We acknowledge the unprecedented challenges the SOP seeks to address, and that all municipalities in the region will see changes that are necessary to ensure the continued evolvement and success of the transit system. We also appreciate RTD’s efforts to include Boulder staff in the development of the draft SOP on a constrained timeline. We commend RTD’s dedicated attention to addressing and balancing transit needs across the district and in Boulder through the development of the plan. SOP proposals calling for the restoration of Routes Flatiron Flyer 2, Flatiron Flyer 4, and GS Golden/Boulder as well as expanded service for the BOLT route in preparation for CO-119 BRT launch are especially appreciated and responsive to community needs and public requests in Boulder. To continue our collaboration, we wish to highlight specific SOP proposal concerns and related opportunities for continued collaboration to inform SOP final refinement in advance of expected March 2022 RTD Board adoption of the plan. As the SOP affirms, Boulder has strong transit demand with many important activity generators and distinctive transit markets. Our primary concerns with the draft SOP center on revisiting route proposal options to better serve the Boulder Junction, East Boulder, and University of Colorado Boulder transit markets where route services remain suspended and diminished due to the RTD COVID-19 Service Plan currently in effect. We also have concerns about the current timeframe and mechanisms for soliciting related public input to allow for further plan refinement ahead of Board adoption. Attachment B: City of Boulder technical comments 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 53 of 56 1101 Arapahoe, Boulder CO 80302 | bouldercolorado.gov | 303-441-3200 -2 - Following are our primary concerns and requests with the draft SOP: 1.The draft plan does not purposely reactivate transit services at the Boulder Junction Transit Center. Reinstating route services at the Boulder Junction Transit Center has been a repeated, high- priority request from many riders and the City of Boulder since all routes serving Boulder Junction were indefinitely suspended with the RTD COVID-19 Service Plan implemented in April 2020. In 2019, five (5) RTD regional and local routes – Routes AB2, FF4, FF6, 206, and 236 – operated at the Boulder Junction Transit Center. The SOP proposes the return of only one (1) route, Route FF4. Route FF4 is planned to return with 38% less service hours than when it operated in 2019. We are very concerned by the lack of SOP proposals to reactivate transit services at the Boulder Junction Transit Center with both service restorations and new service design options. Significant RTD and city partnership efforts and funding, along with sizable private sector investments, have been committed to build the transit center and the surrounding TOD featuring more than 300 affordable housing units with more planned and in development. RTD routes serving Boulder Junction also previously provided critical connections to the large Twenty Ninth Street Mall, surrounding commercial and office areas, the Flatirons Park master- planned business park in East Boulder, and CU Boulder’s Main and East Campuses. We request further dialogue on how those services can be restored and enhanced through the SOP recommendations. We ask that the SOP revisit service design options at the Boulder Junction Transit Center and to revise proposals to include meaningful restorations and enhanced new connections for local and regional bus service options. 2.The draft plan proposes reduced service hours for the JUMP route operating on Arapahoe Avenue/CO-7 and serving East Boulder and other Boulder County communities of concern. Review of the proposed service hours indicates that the JUMP route will have 47% less service hours than in 2019 and that service to and from Erie will also be discontinued. The JUMP route is a critical service connecting Downtown Boulder Station, CU’s East Campus, East Boulder, Erie, and Lafayette via Arapahoe Avenue/CO-7. We find the proposed decreased service levels for the JUMP route of significant concern considering the critical mobility needs, limited transit options, and transit markets along the corridor and especially in East Boulder. Demographic analysis indicates that the JUMP serves a corridor with a high propensity for transit need: 28% of population living within ¼-mile of the JUMP route are minority, 22% are low-income, and 53% work in essential jobs. Furthermore, reducing service on the JUMP conflicts with collaborative regional efforts underway to fund and launch CO-7 BRT services on Arapahoe Avenue. This is also contrary Attachment B: City of Boulder technical comments on RTD Draft System Optimization Plan (SOP) 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 54 of 56 1101 Arapahoe, Boulder CO 80302 | bouldercolorado.gov | 303-441-3200 - 3 - to the SOP proposal to bolster BOLT service on CO-119 in preparation of funding and launching BRT services. We request that the SOP proposal for JUMP services be revisited and improved to better serve this important transit corridor and to continue momentum for planned CO-7 BRT services. 3. The draft plan overlooks addressing diminished services to CU’s Main and East Campuses that occurred with the COVID-19 Service Plan. CU Boulder features a student body of 35,000 and faculty and staff of 10,000, all with EcoPasses paid by the university. Attractive and effective transit options are critical to moving CU students, faculty, and staff to and from its Main and East Campuses and supporting its numerous activity generators. CU’s Main and East Campuses are concentrated, walkable areas with limited parking and great transit markets. Both campuses saw significant transit service reductions with the RTD COVID-19 Service Plan, and the draft SOP does not fully restore or significantly enhance services in campus areas impacted by the pandemic service reductions. Prior to the pandemic, CU’s East Campus was previously served by five (5) RTD routes (Routes 209, J, FF6, JUMP, and BOUND). All but the JUMP and BOUND have been suspended with the RTD COVID-19 Service Plan. The draft SOP recommends only the BOUND, a diminished JUMP, and an expanded BOLT route to serve East Campus. Critical Flatiron Flyer 6 service to Denver and Route 209 connections to campus neighborhoods are planned for discontinuation. Service to the east side of CU’s Main Campus via 28th Street/US 36 remains suspended due to the COVID-19 Service Plan. Routes FF4, FF6, AB2, and 236 operating out of Boulder Junction previously provided service along this important gateway to CU’s Main Campus, and only the FF4 with reduced services is planned to return to this corridor per the SOP recommendations. We request SOP efforts to holistically revisit service options to CU’s Main and East Campuses with these concerns in mind. Similar requested efforts around revisiting service options at Boulder Junction may also identify efficient and attractive options for improved connections that serve both CU campuses and Boulder Junction. 4. Concerns about the SOP materials, timeline, and engagement avenues being used to vet and receive meaningful public input. The SOP is a major initiative, and we commend RTD for taking a critical look at improving the attractiveness and effectiveness of its bus services. The SOP also has significant considerations and implications, as this will guide the service plan and levels for the next five years through 2027 and beyond. In reviewing the draft SOP materials, we are concerned that the SOP development and approval process is highly condensed and that there is not adequate time and channels available for comprehensive and meaningful public and rider input Attachment B: City of Boulder technical comments on RTD Draft System Optimization Plan (SOP) 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 55 of 56 1101 Arapahoe, Boulder CO 80302 | bouldercolorado.gov | 303-441-3200 -4 - considering the significance of this plan. Accessing, understanding, and commenting on the SOP materials is difficult and requires computer literacy to navigate and find on the RTD website. For example, the one-page route proposals are not available on the primary webpage dedicated to SOP public comment for easy access and viewing. The one-page route proposals also do not include basic service span and frequency comparison information in table format between 2019, current, and proposed service levels to aid rider understanding of the proposed changes. Public input is being largely solicited via an online mapping and comment tool that requires a level of GIS software literacy to use. As of today, virtual public meetings across the district to discuss the SOP proposals and impacts with the public do not appear to be scheduled with the February 9th public input deadline rapidly approaching. Considering the significance of the SOP and the need for extensive public and rider feedback to fully vet and refine the plan proposals, we recommend RTD consider extending its public input process and expanding its outreach materials and activities to better reach larger public audiences before this matter is heard by the RTD Board. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to provide technical feedback on the draft SOP. There is great interest in our community around improving RTD service options and the potential service changes and impacts that will come with the SOP. We welcome opportunity to further discuss these concerns and collaborate with your team in exploring SOP adjustments to better serve these transit market needs. We will continue to monitor the development of the SOP and share additional community concerns about the draft plan with RTD. Thank you for your consideration of our comments and requests. Please direct follow-up communication on these items to Danny O’Connor, Transit Program Manager (OConnorD@bouldercolorado.gov), who is available to further continue this discussion and collaborate on next steps. In partnership, Erika Vandenbrande Director of Transportation & Mobility Cc: Lynn Guissinger, Board Director, RTD Bill Van Meter, Assistant General Manager, Planning, RTD Aaron Brockett, Mayor Natalie Stiffler, Deputy Director Valerie Watson, Transportation Planning Manager Danny O’Connor, Transit Program Manager Attachment B: City of Boulder technical comments on RTD Draft System Optimization Plan (SOP) 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 5 RTD Draft Service Optimization Plan Page 56 of 56