Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
I lived in downtown Denver for a year, and had to commute to Northglenn for work. I often chose to take the light rail but still needed a bus to go the last few miles. It was still better than driving in the traffic.
Soooooo happy to see so many transit oriented channels these days! From cities to small towns to the farthest flung suburbs... we've got to start thinking of public transport being just as important as fire departments or schools. Awesome video, stunned and notifications turned on!
Seems like a somewhat reliable system, although a bit pricey. For medical reasons I can’t drive, so for me to be independent I have to use public transit. Thanks for the info!
I like the camera work and presentation style, but there were some loose ends left hanging. You started to talk about the differences between light rail and commuter, but then didn't talk about the commuter lines or their dimensions. You also didn't answer the question in the title cleanly - is it failing? I know I'm sounding like a college prof here, but the critique is offered because I like your style and want you to succeed.
Great Video. 3 things.... 1) RTD compared to other cities isn't affordable, 2) The commuter rail lines especially the "A" Line to the airport are consistently having maintenance issues, 3) The northwest commuter rail is years behind schedule, not slated to open until 2034--it was supposed to be finished by December of 2017, 17 years behind schedule. I would say Denver's transit system is a hot mess & will be for years to come..
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system. Also the A Line is complete. The B Line to Boulder and Longmont is a victim of the fact that Commuter Rail costs twice as much to build as Light Rail. The A, B, W and N lines were to be Light Rail at a much cheaper cost.
It's a good system but having to wait another 20 years for TOD is really not favorable. Plus, they went the cheap route with ROW and land acquisition by using existing rail lines that aren't practical for passenger rail, on top of having massive park and ride stations a mere 10 minutes from downtown. I live near Union Station and the 38th and Blake Station is a park and ride, in the heart of the city. While I applaud the effort, it currently is basically useless for citizens here.
It depends in my opinion. I think some parts of the light rail lines make sense, in particular the stops in Denver proper where they do make sense in terms of bus connections and places people want to go. It's once you leave Denver city limits that things start to become questionable as to why they placed stations where they did. Like I'm not a fan of how the southern part mainly follows the highway instead of major arterial streets like Colfax, Colorado, Quebec, Hampden, Broadway, etc.
@@kibaanazuka332 which stops, like Auraria or 38th and Blake? I wish they would have built a line going straight down Broadway all the way past Littleton.
I rode the light rail everyday for two years from mineral station to union station. It is one of my favorite memories of living in Denver, the light rail is awesome.
Thanks for making a video about Denver. I just came across you channel and I really like what you are trying to do. I look forward to seeing where you can take it.
This is a great informative video! I work for local government in my state we are no where the size of Denver but I am coming on vacation and I am inspired to take this system. Thank you and keep going!
I enjoyed your vid. I have been a light rail Operator for 10 years. The pandemic killed our system. I hope it comes back, I am going to retire. Remeber you need security on these trains. RTD defunded it and it shows in low ridership.
Lone Tree City Center is a perfect example of a station that takes you nowhere. RidgeGate at least has a parking garage but City Center ironically has nothing around it.
@@adambirchfield2296 Since making this post I saw some info on it, but as it is right now it's just desolate. Hoping we can get some TOD there, though.
I was an architectural student but I’m thinking I might shift to urban design leaning to transit infrastructure. Mind me asking where you attended college and if you have any recommendations. To live in Denver Colorado but I’m willing to relocate if needed.
i actually am thinking about switching careers from a bus operator to a light rail operator doing some reseach and I greatly appreciate your information
You needed to tell the whole story of RTD Light Rail and Commuter Rail, it has both. Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
This was supper cool to watch! and really helps understand the public transport for Denver. Would be cool to see more like this, different transport options and city's. I am also moving to Denver and this video was the best!
I hardly recognize Denver anymore. When I lived there you could almost walk to the airport (Stapleton) or just a short city bus ride from downtown. There was no Coors Field or Denver International and the only electric transit were battery powered buses on the 16th street mall. I've always admired cities that have direct connections with their airport Denver had that and I think Boston still does. The Boston subway stops at right at the airport. My current city does not have that feature. Our light rail "Green line" turns away from the southeast corner of the airport while its still over a mile from the terminals. The new "Crenshaw line" stays a similar distance to the east of the airport's main loop. The plan for that is that in a couple of years it will connect with the airport's own people mover system. But the more times you have to change modes that less they will be used. In my opinion, every city should have a bullet train from their airport to the heart of downtown.
Nice video! Just a note on the personal pods thing: the main reason it ultimately wasn't built is that it would have had only a small fraction of the passenger capacity of a regional rail line. Point-to-point transportation is already a task that cars, bikes, and walking can accomplish, so it wouldn't have made much sense to spend so much money on what is essentially an SUV on rails.
Transit in CO IS failing because there isn't a train that goes from Fort Collins all the way through to Pueblo. There is literally nothing else the state should be spending a cent of money on until that's built.
There were passenger trains on the old Colorado & Southern that ran the front range from Trinadad to Cheyenne and beyond, but the automobile spelled death to these railroads. History
Hong Kong has the best system in place that needs to be replicated. The stations are developed as commercial spaces for revenue generation which means that the system earns money and ticket fare are kept low ensuring people dont mind it and commercial spaces means that the commercial development is around the route. Non ticket revenue is also generated by developing parking areas for park and ride, and not uncommon to see entire trains covered by advertising Delhi metro system replicated the same thing, and the station near my house ironically has a car dealership inside it in addition to a burger king, a bank, and a banquet that can be rented for events They also have huge paid parking areas
While it's too late for me (I didn't know there was such a thing as an engineer as a child, much less a civil engineer or urban planner!), my son is interested in engineering. He's still in JHS so that could change in time but I'm encouraging him to take it all the way and I Street him toward videos like this and others by Not Just Bikes and Strong Towns to show him that a STEM career didn't have to be under florescent lights in an office building with his head down in a bunch of equations all day! He likes math (He must get that from his mother. My math skills were ATROCIOUS.) and lives reading about how things work and I know he wants his job to mean something. Family is from NYC and we always talk about how to make this or that public resource better, from parks and transit, to how we can simultaneously slow car traffic while making it more efficient and routing most cars away from residential areas. I've just subscribed and I'll make sure we watch some your videos together. I didn't know ANY Colorado City had public transit and now I even know how well it's run. I'll-WE'LL be back for more!
I liked the video. It would be even better if you could give your ideas, based on your education and background, on how you would address some of the issues with this system or others you might cover. It would be refreshing to get the perspective of a young urban planner and engineer. If you ever get to visit L.A. it would be great if you do a video on their transit system. They are in the midst of a transit rail boom. I've read they are currently building more transit than any other city in the nation.
This is a good video, but a bit confusing. You identify the train to DIA as 'light rail'. Before you call it commuter rail. What it is actually, is "Pre-Metro". The trains are heavy metro cars, but unlike most powered from cables above. This is common in Europe and Asia, not so much in the U.S. Pre-Metro has the advantage of lower cost up front as it doesn't have to be completely grade separate, but can be in the future making it a full blown metro system like NYC, BART, Metro in D.C. etc. Just a few tweaks and you'll make great videos.
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
Wrong. It is full during rush hour going to downtown. From 7am to 9 am and again from 4pm to 6pm. Some lines are busier than others and ridership is still low, but thousands of ppl use the light rail daily.
Why not change the title to something a bit more positive for example: "Denver Light Rail a realistic path towards a greener future" ? I've never been in Denver but I was very happy to take light-rail last time I was in Houston, and there were quite a few bars, diners and shops along its tracks. Light-rail can really help to get to a walkable, convenient, vivid city center.
I suspect the reason why Denver’s system sucks is why so many American systems suck: those who run it don’t actually use it. I remember I was in Denver for a soccer tournament and I wanted use the LRT. I wanted to pay using my credit card. The park and ride stall accepted cards for parking payment but none of the fare vending machines did. Such hot garbage!
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
Neat video though overall I think some work needs to be done in regards to the footage matching the commentary. Since you kept using commuter rail footage when talking about light rail, it really did hurt your ethos until you actually specified the difference. Especially since each system is better at critical points than the other, like how Light rail isn't very suitable for longer trips whereas commuter rail is, plus commuter rails added speed of running in the 60-100mph range, at a higher cost. But seriously going forward just remember that, to make footage match the commentary as much as possible.
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
Sadly, no. There is not much public support for such an awesome system yet. But maybe within states like CA and TX between major cities in the next 50 years 😃
Higher speed rail between cities like Chicago and Columbus (110mph) could be more easily done. Outright high speed rail will hopefully be done in some areas, but not as widespread as we'd love. And not super long-distance.
She talks. Like this. Not sure. Why she. Keeps pausing. Between words. Cool video tho youll get more comfortable with time. Try to flow a bit more itll help a lot.
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
@@douglaserwinbrandt181 I know they started with light rail. I don't know about the crash. How is commuter/suburban rail much more expensive than light rail? Both are built the same way other than high platforms for the commuter/suburban rail but there are less stations.
Just as the US Navy has this habit of calling a five thousand ton ship a 'frigate', Denver is calling their transit system 'light rail' with tracks that would make the Union Pacific mainline proud. With cars that match or exceed those of the NYC subway 'heavy rail', with high level platforms better than most commuter railroads. OK, I get it, but most folks who've been around in this transit world kinda equate 'light rail' with what the Europeans call 'tram lines'. I don't know the train frequency out to the airport but I really doubt if it needs two tracks for the full distance, a single track with passing areas will do, many mainline railways have been single tracked or always were. All this is why systems are costing so much. and why not enough are built.
Denver does call the line to the airport heavy rail. She was a bit off on what she showed. They line is also single track much of the way between the last station and the airport.
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
I couldn't understand a word she was saying... Talking so fast she talked over herself... Slow down and enunciate properly please... Plus wearing that mask muffled your voice... Six feet of social distancing does NOT mean wearing a mask in front of a video camera... I have hearing disability, I need to read lips...
I flew into Denver a couple years for work and only used public transportation while I was there. It's a wonderful system.
It can be upgraded lol
I'm proud of my daughter Andreas!
awww
I'm thinking of moving here and I've tried to find youtube videos about the public transit system...yours was the most informative. Thank you!
Thank you for your comment 👍
I have a video posted too. This is a great also.
me too
Don’t move here
Just one thing. The rail system presented in the video isn't light rail. It's considered regional rail or heavy rail.
Yeah that's kind of a big error there... a lot of it wasn't even light rail
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
@Playstation 3.50 have you not listed when you are on it it say welcome aboard rtd COMMUNTER RAIL
Yeah, I remember hearing a few months ago, how RTD is going to have to make budget cuts, but yet there is still enough for the board to get a bonus.
I lived in downtown Denver for a year, and had to commute to Northglenn for work. I often chose to take the light rail but still needed a bus to go the last few miles. It was still better than driving in the traffic.
In Dallas fastest growing suburbs there’s only tollways. No public transportation. And the tollways are always full
Soooooo happy to see so many transit oriented channels these days! From cities to small towns to the farthest flung suburbs... we've got to start thinking of public transport being just as important as fire departments or schools. Awesome video, stunned and notifications turned on!
Seems like a somewhat reliable system, although a bit pricey. For medical reasons I can’t drive, so for me to be independent I have to use public transit. Thanks for the info!
I like the camera work and presentation style, but there were some loose ends left hanging. You started to talk about the differences between light rail and commuter, but then didn't talk about the commuter lines or their dimensions. You also didn't answer the question in the title cleanly - is it failing?
I know I'm sounding like a college prof here, but the critique is offered because I like your style and want you to succeed.
Great Video. 3 things.... 1) RTD compared to other cities isn't affordable, 2) The commuter rail lines especially the "A" Line to the airport are consistently having maintenance issues, 3) The northwest commuter rail is years behind schedule, not slated to open until 2034--it was supposed to be finished by December of 2017, 17 years behind schedule. I would say Denver's transit system is a hot mess & will be for years to come..
You are right, there is a lot Denver needs to do to catch up. But, compared to other US cities' transit systems, it is doing decent 👍
You mean line B?
@@qjtvaddict No I mean the University Of Colorado A-Line, but might as well include the B line.
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
Also the A Line is complete. The B Line to Boulder and Longmont is a victim of the fact that Commuter Rail costs twice as much to build as Light Rail. The A, B, W and N lines were to be Light Rail at a much cheaper cost.
It's a good system but having to wait another 20 years for TOD is really not favorable. Plus, they went the cheap route with ROW and land acquisition by using existing rail lines that aren't practical for passenger rail, on top of having massive park and ride stations a mere 10 minutes from downtown. I live near Union Station and the 38th and Blake Station is a park and ride, in the heart of the city. While I applaud the effort, it currently is basically useless for citizens here.
It depends in my opinion. I think some parts of the light rail lines make sense, in particular the stops in Denver proper where they do make sense in terms of bus connections and places people want to go. It's once you leave Denver city limits that things start to become questionable as to why they placed stations where they did. Like I'm not a fan of how the southern part mainly follows the highway instead of major arterial streets like Colfax, Colorado, Quebec, Hampden, Broadway, etc.
@@kibaanazuka332 which stops, like Auraria or 38th and Blake? I wish they would have built a line going straight down Broadway all the way past Littleton.
Use electric scooters to the train
I rode the light rail everyday for two years from mineral station to union station. It is one of my favorite memories of living in Denver, the light rail is awesome.
The answer is YES. When patrons cannot park their cars in RTD lots without fear of thievery, then the system is failing.
I've been watch RTD grow for a while. Great to see this !
Thanks for making a video about Denver. I just came across you channel and I really like what you are trying to do. I look forward to seeing where you can take it.
This is a great informative video! I work for local government in my state we are no where the size of Denver but I am coming on vacation and I am inspired to take this system. Thank you and keep going!
I enjoyed your vid. I have been a light rail Operator for 10 years. The pandemic killed our system. I hope it comes back, I am going to retire. Remeber you need security on these trains. RTD defunded it and it shows in low ridership.
Lone Tree City Center is a perfect example of a station that takes you nowhere. RidgeGate at least has a parking garage but City Center ironically has nothing around it.
That's true for now, but they want development to build around the station it's good long-term planning.
@@adambirchfield2296 Since making this post I saw some info on it, but as it is right now it's just desolate. Hoping we can get some TOD there, though.
@@evr-grn I hope so. It does look very weird how it is now.
SD-160 is one of the favorite here in Denver
Hi, I’m your 32nd subscriber, good work!
I was an architectural student but I’m thinking I might shift to urban design leaning to transit infrastructure. Mind me asking where you attended college and if you have any recommendations. To live in Denver Colorado but I’m willing to relocate if needed.
i actually am thinking about switching careers from a bus operator to a light rail operator doing some reseach and I greatly appreciate your information
You needed to tell the whole story of RTD Light Rail and Commuter Rail, it has both. Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
This was supper cool to watch! and really helps understand the public transport for Denver. Would be cool to see more like this, different transport options and city's. I am also moving to Denver and this video was the best!
I hardly recognize Denver anymore. When I lived there you could almost walk to the airport (Stapleton) or just a short city bus ride from downtown. There was no Coors Field or Denver International and the only electric transit were battery powered buses on the 16th street mall. I've always admired cities that have direct connections with their airport Denver had that and I think Boston still does. The Boston subway stops at right at the airport. My current city does not have that feature. Our light rail "Green line" turns away from the southeast corner of the airport while its still over a mile from the terminals. The new "Crenshaw line" stays a similar distance to the east of the airport's main loop. The plan for that is that in a couple of years it will connect with the airport's own people mover system. But the more times you have to change modes that less they will be used. In my opinion, every city should have a bullet train from their airport to the heart of downtown.
Denver has this once again after the opening of the A line in 2016. It was part of the massive fastracks project to add regional rail to the system
Nice video! Just a note on the personal pods thing: the main reason it ultimately wasn't built is that it would have had only a small fraction of the passenger capacity of a regional rail line. Point-to-point transportation is already a task that cars, bikes, and walking can accomplish, so it wouldn't have made much sense to spend so much money on what is essentially an SUV on rails.
Transit in CO IS failing because there isn't a train that goes from Fort Collins all the way through to Pueblo. There is literally nothing else the state should be spending a cent of money on until that's built.
There were passenger trains on the old Colorado & Southern that ran the front range from Trinadad to Cheyenne and beyond, but the automobile spelled death to these railroads.
History
@@douglaserwinbrandt181 Yep. Time to eliminate the automobile.
Hong Kong has the best system in place that needs to be replicated.
The stations are developed as commercial spaces for revenue generation which means that the system earns money and ticket fare are kept low ensuring people dont mind it and commercial spaces means that the commercial development is around the route.
Non ticket revenue is also generated by developing parking areas for park and ride, and not uncommon to see entire trains covered by advertising
Delhi metro system replicated the same thing, and the station near my house ironically has a car dealership inside it in addition to a burger king, a bank, and a banquet that can be rented for events
They also have huge paid parking areas
Just wondering, how does one become an Urban Planner AND Civil Engineer?
Go to College and get a degree in those professions.
@@douglaserwinbrandt181 The question was directed at her. I wanted to know how she did it.
We need high speed rail from Denver to summit county
While it's too late for me (I didn't know there was such a thing as an engineer as a child, much less a civil engineer or urban planner!), my son is interested in engineering. He's still in JHS so that could change in time but I'm encouraging him to take it all the way and I Street him toward videos like this and others by Not Just Bikes and Strong Towns to show him that a STEM career didn't have to be under florescent lights in an office building with his head down in a bunch of equations all day! He likes math (He must get that from his mother. My math skills were ATROCIOUS.) and lives reading about how things work and I know he wants his job to mean something. Family is from NYC and we always talk about how to make this or that public resource better, from parks and transit, to how we can simultaneously slow car traffic while making it more efficient and routing most cars away from residential areas. I've just subscribed and I'll make sure we watch some your videos together. I didn't know ANY Colorado City had public transit and now I even know how well it's run. I'll-WE'LL be back for more!
Great video! Very informative and great presentation.
I liked the video. It would be even better if you could give your ideas, based on your education and background, on how you would address some of the issues with this system or others you might cover. It would be refreshing to get the perspective of a young urban planner and engineer.
If you ever get to visit L.A. it would be great if you do a video on their transit system. They are in the midst of a transit rail boom. I've read they are currently building more transit than any other city in the nation.
This is a good video, but a bit confusing. You identify the train to DIA as 'light rail'. Before you call it commuter rail. What it is actually, is "Pre-Metro". The trains are heavy metro cars, but unlike most powered from cables above. This is common in Europe and Asia, not so much in the U.S. Pre-Metro has the advantage of lower cost up front as it doesn't have to be completely grade separate, but can be in the future making it a full blown metro system like NYC, BART, Metro in D.C. etc. Just a few tweaks and you'll make great videos.
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
It (was) popular to get to the Nuggets, the Rockies and the Broncos games. Other wise they mostly run empty.
Wrong. It is full during rush hour going to downtown. From 7am to 9 am and again from 4pm to 6pm. Some lines are busier than others and ridership is still low, but thousands of ppl use the light rail daily.
may I ask what degree you got to become an urban planner?
Why not change the title to something a bit more positive for example: "Denver Light Rail a realistic path towards a greener future" ? I've never been in Denver but I was very happy to take light-rail last time I was in Houston, and there were quite a few bars, diners and shops along its tracks. Light-rail can really help to get to a walkable, convenient, vivid city center.
RTD has lower daily ridership per mile than Houston do, even though it operated since 1990s most people still drive cars
I suspect the reason why Denver’s system sucks is why so many American systems suck: those who run it don’t actually use it. I remember I was in Denver for a soccer tournament and I wanted use the LRT. I wanted to pay using my credit card. The park and ride stall accepted cards for parking payment but none of the fare vending machines did. Such hot garbage!
Its like the whole city is under construction like the bus has to take a detour LIKE WHY DENVER
i have claimed the 100th subscriber :D
That’s not Light rail that’s commuter rail
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
Light rail trains run on DC while commuter rail trains run on AC.
Neat video though overall I think some work needs to be done in regards to the footage matching the commentary. Since you kept using commuter rail footage when talking about light rail, it really did hurt your ethos until you actually specified the difference. Especially since each system is better at critical points than the other, like how Light rail isn't very suitable for longer trips whereas commuter rail is, plus commuter rails added speed of running in the 60-100mph range, at a higher cost. But seriously going forward just remember that, to make footage match the commentary as much as possible.
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
I lived in Denver for years, per a mile Denver light rail has the most expensive far
I love the light rail good job on video💥🙋♂️
Add new lines and de inter line service new lines shall run on viaducts
It’s hard to use the service when most people have to drive there to use it 😂😔
Add express buses
Wow those stations are dead 💀
Good video but you should have used white borders when you supposed the light rail stats over the video. It wasn't very readable otherwise
Worst possible way to commute, no bathrooms and druggies everywhere
so..why did you title it as "Failing"? It seems that from your presentation, it has succeeded by leaps and bounds....
What makes people think that this kind of ”look” is normal?
The System is Fine the People have failed ! I lived there for 35 years .
Do you think a bullet train across states is possible this decade?
Sadly, no. There is not much public support for such an awesome system yet. But maybe within states like CA and TX between major cities in the next 50 years 😃
@@HowtoBuildtheWorld planet earth won’t exist by then 😂
Higher speed rail between cities like Chicago and Columbus (110mph) could be more easily done. Outright high speed rail will hopefully be done in some areas, but not as widespread as we'd love. And not super long-distance.
Leave the country if you want good transit
@@tylerkochman1007 maybe overplayed with regional rail networks in many cities
She talks. Like this. Not sure. Why she. Keeps pausing. Between words. Cool video tho youll get more comfortable with time. Try to flow a bit more itll help a lot.
That's true I like the content, it looks like a new channel do it will probably get more refined as time goes on.
That's heavy commuter rail. Not light rail.
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
@@douglaserwinbrandt181 I know they started with light rail. I don't know about the crash. How is commuter/suburban rail much more expensive than light rail? Both are built the same way other than high platforms for the commuter/suburban rail but there are less stations.
Just as the US Navy has this habit of calling a five thousand ton ship a 'frigate', Denver is calling their transit system 'light rail' with tracks that would make the Union Pacific mainline proud. With cars that match or exceed those of the NYC subway 'heavy rail', with high level platforms better than most commuter railroads. OK, I get it, but most folks who've been around in this transit world kinda equate 'light rail' with what the Europeans call 'tram lines'. I don't know the train frequency out to the airport but I really doubt if it needs two tracks for the full distance, a single track with passing areas will do, many mainline railways have been single tracked or always were. All this is why systems are costing so much. and why not enough are built.
Denver does call the line to the airport heavy rail. She was a bit off on what she showed. They line is also single track much of the way between the last station and the airport.
The airport A line is every 15 minutes
Actually RTD started with light rail and has 9 Light Rail routes on light weight rails. It also has 4 Commuter rail routes on heavy rails and two future lines. It was originally designed to be all Light Rail, But a Union Pacific coal train derailment infront of an RTD lightrail train in 2007, the lightrail train hit the coal and also derailed. Since the vast majority of the RTD rail system uses Union Pacific or Burlington Northen track right away. The two commercial rail lines prohibitied RTD from building any new lines on their track right aways. This caused RTD to have to change the 4 and in the future 6 northern passenger rail routes to Commuter Rail. At vast expense as Commuter rail is much more expensive, this lead to many years delay in completing the system.
I couldn't understand a word she was saying... Talking so fast she talked over herself... Slow down and enunciate properly please... Plus wearing that mask muffled your voice... Six feet of social distancing does NOT mean wearing a mask in front of a video camera... I have hearing disability, I need to read lips...
First :P
If you speak a little slower, people actually might listen to you!