In the wake of the North Area Transportation Alliance’s scathing report on the state of the FasTracks boondoggle, RTD of course rejects its conclusions.  Further, it appears some north metro area mayors are afraid to confront RTD and protect their residents’ interests. 

The fact that some mayors are willing to stand by and let the taxpayers and their constituents get soaked by RTD is baffling.  According to the Denver Post, Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally and Broomfield Mayor Pat Quinn refused to back the report saying, “they did not have adequate time to help shape the cover letter.” 

Both cities are members of NATA and yet apparently don’t have ‘adequate time’ to address one of the most pressing issues facing their constituents?  Are they scared of confronting RTD and making the taxpayer funded entity mad? 

Certainly the two cities don’t have as vested of an interest in the I-25 corridor as their exposure there is limited.  They are likely most concerned about the US-36 / Boulder Turnpike corridor which has a better chance of seeing FasTracks than the north line. 

They are very shortsighted in this view.  The fact of the matter is that the only rail lines RTD can get done with existing funding run along I-70.  Broomfield and Westminster stand a great chance of getting stiffed just like Thornton does.  It is a shame these two mayors don’t have guts enough to stand up to RTD. 

The Denver Post article had this amusing line: “Louisville Mayor Chuck Sisk, who also did not sign, said officials from the north area should engage RTD in a more “collaborative” fashion.” 

First, it should be stated that Louisville is not a member of NATA so likely he and the city of Louisville were not asked to sign the report at all.  Second, I would in turn ask Mayor Sisk and the other two mayors:  Just what has working in a ‘collaborative fashion’ gotten you and your constituents in the last five years?  Do you have a train running nearby?  Do you really see any hope that there will be one by the originally projected date at the original cost voters agreed to? 

I would challenge these three, and all the other metro area mayors, to stand up and have the guts enough to speak out against this boondoggle.  Stop protecting your political careers and do what the voters hired you to do – Protect them and their interests! 

As the Denver Post reported this morning, RTD dismisses the results of the report.  Their arrogance is readily apparent as they reject any notion that they need to have some sort of an alternative plan to the full build out of the project.  The project faces at least a $2.2 billion shortfall and RTD continues to live in a fantasyland. 

RTD spokesperson, Pauletta Tonilas, told the Post they were focused on a single plan and not considering alternatives.  Another RTD spokesman, Scott Reed, said, “It did seem strange that (the transportation alliance) would pay for a study that’s based on last year’s financial plan when the new plan is coming out next month.” 

Here is a news flash for RTD, Ms. Tonilas and Mr. Reed:  You don’t have the money!  Planning on alternatives is common sense (something apparently lacking in RTD management and its elected board). 

As for Mr. Reed’s comment, is he telling us the financial projections that RTD will be releasing next month are going to be all that different?  Did RTD suddenly turn things around?  I didn’t think so. Take a chair, Mr. Reed. 

RTD should take a bit of that taxpayer money and see if they can buy a clue.  They obviously can’t build a rail system with the money.

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