Strong ridership during the pandemic highlights the importance of equitable access to reliable public transportation
Pandemic-era ridership data for the RTD 15/15L bus service on Colfax Avenue showcases the importance of affordable and accessible public transportation. While nationwide transit ridership dropped sharply to 20% of pre-pandemic levels, Colfax corridor bus ridership remained at over 60% of prior ridership levels, or nearly three times the national average.
As the world faced an unprecedented global health crisis that forced so many to stay home, an average of nearly 13,500 essential frontline workers boarded the 15/15L routes each day to bravely serve our community.
Far from just a commuter corridor, Colfax Avenue connects the region’s most diverse and densely populated neighborhoods to critical destinations. In fact, 40% of all transit trips along Colfax originate and end locally within the corridor without requiring transfers. Public transportation on Colfax carries students to classrooms; brings home groceries; connects residents with essential health and human services; and guides frontline workers to their jobs.
As the City and County of Denver, in partnership with RTD, the City of Aurora and CDOT, moves forward with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Colfax, equitable access to high-quality public transit will continue to be prioritized. The people who rely on these routes, as well as the importance of the street itself as a place for community, guide the vision for Colfax BRT:
- A SAFE street - based on vision Zero and pedestrian-first design
- A street for PEOPLE - a street that creates spaces for active neighborhood centers and open sidewalks for retail and pedestrian uses
- A street with transit at its HEART - which includes efficient, affordable, reliable and comfortable operations and long-lasting redevelopment and mobility benefits
- A street that WORKS - a street that moves more people, not just vehicles and improves mobility for all modes of transportation
Ultimately, as the City works to meet the transportation needs of one of Denver’s most diverse and densely populated corridors, it remains mission focused: moving more people, more efficiently and more safely along the Colfax Corridor.
Get Involved!
Now is the time to learn more about this phase of the process and provide valuable input. We hope to see you at the next community workshop!