In 2007, the Transit Alliance provided education to key citizens and community stakeholders through the establishment of a Citizens’ Academy. Our seven-week program focused on the relationships between transportation, community development and health as well as the progress and impact of transit build out in the region.

• 2007 Academies have added 75 informed and active citizens to the regional dialogue (see map).
• Three Academies will be completed in 2007with the financial support of RTD, the Colorado Association of REALTORS®, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, DRCOG, the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute, and NAPTA.
• Academies have drawn emerging leaders including candidates for city councils in 2007, public sector staff, elected officials, realtors, future elected officials and other advocates for transit.
• All 75 participants are in the process of putting their knowledge into action by implementing their individual action plans.

According to a press release released by RTD on December 4:

Three years into the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) 12-year, $6.1 billion FasTracks transit expansion program, 79 percent of metro-area residents say that approving FasTracks funding in 2004 was a good decision. Seventy-five percent are confident that RTD will complete the voter-approved FasTracks plan. The findings come from the first public opinion poll on FasTracks since voters approved the plan three years ago.

Transportation and transit-related issues ranked as the No. 1 issue facing the Denver-metro area, with 34 percent of survey participants citing transportation and transit as the top issue. Overall, the results of the survey showed high levels of support and confidence in the progress of the nation’s largest transit build-out program.

Following is a summary of other key survey findings:

• 72 percent of metro residents have a favorable impression of RTD in general
• 68 percent of metro residents have a favorable impression of FasTracks
• Familiarity with FasTracks is moderately high, with 53 percent of residents classifying themselves as “very” or “somewhat” familiar with the program
• 49 percent of residents consider themselves as “informed” about FasTracks; 49 percent consider themselves “uninformed”
• More than 80 percent of respondents look to the news media for FasTracks information and education

The phone survey, conducted from a random sampling of residents across the eight-county Regional Transportation District, has 95 percent statistical validity, with a 3.53 percent margin of error. For a complete summary of the 2007 FasTracks survey, visit www.RTD-FasTracks.com.

FasTracks is RTD’s voter-approved, 12-year program to expand rail and bus service throughout the RTD service area. Scheduled for completion in 2017, FasTracks will create six new commuter rail and light rail corridors, extend three existing corridors, build 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and expand bus service across the eight-county District.

As was outlined at the start of the Blue Ribbon Panel deliberations, transportation is undergoing a "quiet crisis." The state's crumbling transportation system is challenged further by changes in transportation funding, lack of investment in transit and diminishing national transportation funds.

The panel met from April to November and traveled the state to better understand the needs, challenges and opportunities for transportation in Colorado. The clear message from stakeholders at these meeting throughout the state was that the current financial structure for transportation is not sustainable.

As part of the panel's work, a series of vision statements were developed for Colorado's transportation system in 2050. A copy of this vision is available here.

The panel's work included analysis of 43 potential funding options. A recommendation to the Governor has been outlined that includes funding for increased mobility across the state and significant funding for transit as well as bike/pedestrian improvements. This recommendation is for a $1.5 Billion annual increase in transportation funding. A copy of the recommendation including the mechanisms to fund this increase is available here.

While this recommended level of funding may seem like a big "ask" for the voters of Colorado, the value of these recommendations may be an acknowledgement that we need to increase and most importantly STABILIZE transportation investment in Colorado.

The panel's work is currently being summarized into a report to the Governor and then the legislative session will present opportunities for pieces of the proposal to be addressed. The increased fees outlined in the proposal could be inacted by legislative action in this next session. The proposed tax increases would have to be referred by the legislature and sent to voters for approval. At this point, it is not clear what the Governor will choose to pursue for transportation. In an effort to encourage the Governor to support this bold recommendation, Transit Alliance prepared a response and a copy is available here.

SPECIAL THANKS: Bill Elfenbein, member of the Transit Alliance Board of Directors & RTD Director served on the panel and we would like to express our thanks for his dedication and leadership.

Transit Alliance Partners Meeting
Thursday, December 13 - 12noon - 2PM
Hosted by Jefferson Economic Council
More information

Hooked on TOD Social at Denver Union Station
February 2008

Transit Alliance Leadership Workshop
FOCUS - Public Private Partnerships in Transit
More information to be announced soon.

Zipcar and Flexcar, leading car sharing providers, announced October 31 the companies will merge. Together these two companies will represent an international network able to deliver new member benefits and accelerated growth to the burgeoning car sharing industry. The combined company will operate under the Zipcar brand and be headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information visit: http://www.zipcar.com/index.

The Denver region continues to explore adding car sharing as part of our transportation options.

Employment Opportunities

Community Planner - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta
SALARY RANGE: 65,247.00 - 100,869.00 USD per year
OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 to Tuesday, December 11, 2007

The incumbent serves as the principal advisor to the Director, Buildings and Facilities Office (BFO), on matters relating to the economics, social analysis, community and public health impact analysis of BFO transportation programs; and as the planning coordinator in contract and policy development and implementation, management, and administration of key transportation-related programs. To apply visit: http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/ftva.asp?seeker=1&JobID=65701235

Executive Director for the Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council (DRMAC)
Salary: $48,000 - $54,000 annually, plus strong benefits package.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Responsible for the day-to-day operations of DRMAC, a non-profit project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center (CNDC). DRMAC is a new membership organization working as the Regional Coordinating Council for the Denver area, to coordinate transportation services offered by various human service agencies. Additional information: Contact Hank Braaksma at 303-235-6970 hbraaksma@srcaging.org. Applications should be sent to: DRMAC, P.O. Box 13767, Denver CO 80201, vicepresident@drmac-co.org.