The first RTD MetroRide buses are just about ready, and looking great at their assembly plant in Minnesota.
MetroRide will run on a special downtown Denver circulator route similar to the 16th Street MallRide shuttle, except it will only operate during commuting periods on weekday mornings and evenings.
Photo from RTD.
The stations are also visibly under construction.
Left: Bus stop construction photo from RTD. Right: Bus stop rendering from Krische Construction .
I cannot believe I’m the only person to think of this, so I’d love to hear what others have thought about the following subject.
Since the MetroRide busses are an attempt to move increasing numbers of people 1.) from one end of downtown to another, 2.) to points along the linear path of downtown, and 3.) to ease the burden on the 16th Street Mall shuttle, a burden that will only get heavier with the increasing use of Union Station transportation options, is there–or has there ever been–talk of a subway line beneath 17th and/or 18th Streets?
I know, I know. Big Money, and merely a sexy idea fraught with political peril. But has anyone even talked about it?
Interestingly, the 1986 Downtown Area Plan proposed a subway under 15th Street between Union Station and Civic Center.
I think, someday, a subway line between the two ends of downtown will be necessary, but that is probably a couple of decades away.
If you’re not worried too much about running faster — if you’re mostly worried about volume — replace the 16th St. Mall Shuttle with light rail / streetcar (get rid of the steps inside the light rail, of course) and you’ll solve most of the problems.
Thanks for the information, Ken. Actually, “a couple of decades” sounds quicker than I would have thought. I hope it happens.
I’m being optimistic. 🙂
I’m loving this. Bring on the people! ! !
I’m in high hopes the ski train will come back to the station…
Unfortunately there’s nobody pushing the “return of Ski Train”. At this point it would need additional funding and support.
Is RTD going to replace the rest of the very tired mall shuttles now as well?
Unlikely. The turbine powered test model they bought is a dismal failure. Far less interior space, sucks fuel, noisy, very hot exhaust and expensive to maintain.
The current models may eat engines for breakfast and electric motors for lunch but they are cheap to operate, dead simple to work on and have very good interior space. They are only 12-15 years old, the first generation Mall ride buses lasted until 17.
I thought all of the mall buses were the original ones from the early 80’s.
I just realized — how the heck are these monster articulated buses going to make it through the tight turns at the underground bus station at Union Station? That sounds *awful*. I expect them to be crashing into the walls.
The underground bus loop is quite wide. Shouldn’t be a problem.