An Underfunded System

 

Colorado’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) is an underfunded system in comparison to most public transit systems that exists in the country. I’ve been doing my own research on the subject and Despite my initial thoughts of RTD being well funded or at least funded more than a good majority of other states, several reports proved me otherwise.

 

 

Back in 2023, RTD’s funding was, and still is lower then similar public transit systems. According to statistics from the RTD 2023 proposed budget, The general funding the RTD received in 2023 is 816 million dollars. This number might seem like a lot at first, but contrast to other transportation services that exists within the country, such as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), they received over 1.5 billion dollars in funding for its public transpiration system. If that didn’t convince you, another example: the State of Washington's “Sound Transit”, receives a whopping 3.1 billion dollars in funding, a number I had to double check to make sure it was real.

 

RTD'S Business Expenses sorted by category gives a good perspective on how much money they receive

 

    This stark contrast in funding shows how Colorado's own public transportation is not receiving enough support when it comes to it's backing, however, this issue is being actively figured out. Funding for the RTD is being addressed by the state of Colorado as Ballot Issue 7A was approved by voters to let the RTD keep its “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” (TABOR) tax money of about 2.4 million dollars. RTD says that they will use this increased funding to improve funding for better infrastructure and expansion to hopefully strengthen it’s transit services and expand to more parts of the state. This shows that people are speaking up and actively trying to improve the transit system and that there is still hope yet for it’s expansion.

Better Funding means more railroads for public transit

    RTD's increased funding will help solve most, but not all of the problems that it is currently facing. Some problems are inherently going to exist because of America's general view on public transportation; irrelevant because people will just say "I already got my car, why should I care?". I believe putting this much focus into our system could help boost job opportunities for those who might be too poor to afford a car for themselves, it would be a means to obtain funds to eventually put off public transportation altogether for some people. It is in my belief that everyone will benefit from this change, those who need the extra cash, and those that want public transit to be the norm.

In conclusion, Colorado can put more effort into it's public transit system, and show that effort through better funding of it's railways and buses. The people are showing it as we speak with the passage of laws that support it's funding, and it is important that this effort continues to grow with every year passed.