Celebrating 10 Years of RTD’s Southwest Light Rail Corridor
Over 81 million boardings since opening day July 14, 2000
News release from RTD
Denver, Colo. — July 15, 2010 — This month the Regional Transportation District (RTD) is marking ten years of light rail service along the Southwest Light Rail Line. Since RTD opened the 8.7-mile Southwest Light Rail Line July 14, 2000, the line has carried over 81 million passenger trips.
RTD Chairman Lee Kemp said, “The Southwest Rail Line connected downtown with a suburban area to help meet the current and future needs of the region. The importance of providing rapid transit options, including the full FasTracks system, cannot be overstated and the Southwest Line is yet another example of how successful passenger rail can be.”
In May 1995, RTD received a Full Funding Grant Agreement in the amount of $120 million for the $177 million Southwest Corridor line. The line opened in July 2000, adding 8.7 miles of light rail and 5 stations, bringing suburban commuters from the Englewood, Sheridan and Littleton areas into downtown Denver. This was the first light rail line running from a suburban area to downtown. Ridership exceeded projections by nearly 70 percent on opening day and continues at levels above projections.
The City of Englewood took the opportunity to redevelop the all-but abandoned Cinderella City shopping center, which once housed 1.35 million square feet of retail space, into a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) village. Utilizing a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use concept that combined retail, entertainment, residential, office, civic and open space elements, the RTD Englewood Light Rail Station was the cornerstone to its success. A former department store was transformed into the new Englewood City Center, housing City Hall, the Library and the Museum of Outdoor Arts. The Englewood City Center community is now an international model for TOD.
The Southwest Corridor has been a tremendous addition to Littleton’s quality of life. Ridership exceeded projections on opening day because Littleton citizens love the convenience of riding the train to sporting events and jobs in Downtown Denver.
The City of Sheridan is also connected to many desirable destinations through the RTD light rail system which affords many transportation options that would not be available if it was not for the Southwest Light Rail Line.
For route and schedule information, please call RTD’s Telephone Information Center at 303.299.6000. Call 303.299.6089 for the speech and hearing impaired. Visit RTD’s web site at http://www.RTD-Denver.com.
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