Preliminary Gold & Northwest Corridors Service Plan June 2015 Contents 1 Introduction ..............................................................................................4 1.1 Background and Focus ..........................................................................4 1.2 Study Area .........................................................................................4 1.3 Relevant Studies ..................................................................................7 2 Existing Conditions................................................................................... 15 2.1 Market Assessment ............................................................................ 15 2.2 Existing Market Conditions .................................................................. 16 3 Service Evaluation.................................................................................... 26 3.1 Service Fundamentals for Transit Design................................................ 26 4 Existing Service Conditions........................................................................ 28 4.1 Transit Route Network ........................................................................ 28 5 Gold and Northwest Corridor Service Plan.................................................... 42 5.1 Gold and Northwest Bus Service Recommendations ................................ 46 5.2 Resource Impacts............................................................................... 50 6 Process .................................................................................................. 52 Tables Table 1 - G-Line Planned Operations ....................................................................8 Table 2 - B-Line Planned Operations ................................................................... 11 Table 3 - West Corridor Service Plan Recommendations and Straegies .................... 13 Table 4- Current Gold Corridor Bus Routes .......................................................... 29 Table 5- Current Northwest Corridor Bus Routes .................................................. 29 Table 6 - Current Gold Corridor Transit Route Network ......................................... 31 Table 7 - Current Northwest Corridor Transit Route Network ................................. 32 Table 8 - RTD Service Standards ....................................................................... 34 Table 9 - RTD Average Farebox Recovery by Service Class ................................... 38 Table 10 - Gold Line Corridor Bus Route Performance Metrics ................................ 40 Table 11 - Northwest Corridor Bus Route Performance Metrics .............................. 40 Table 12 - Proposed Gold and Northwest Corridor Bus Service Levels ..................... 46 Table 13 - Existing Gold and Northwest Corridor Bus Service Requirements ............. 51 Table 14 - Proposed Gold and Northwest Corridor Bus Service Requirements ........... 52 Figures Figure 1 - G-Line Projected Average Daily Boardings ...............................................8 Figure 2 - G-Line Mode of Access, 2030 ..............................................................9 Figure 3 - B-Line Mode of Access, 2035............................................................. 11 Figure 4- Downtown Denver Commute Choice, 2013 ........................................... 12 Figure 5- Gold Corridor Bus Routes, Subsidy per Boarding, 2012 ............................ 34 Figure 6 - Northwest Corrdor Bus Routes, Subsidy perBoarding 2012 ..................... 35 Figure 7 - Gold Corridor Bus Routes, Boardings per Hours, 2014 ............................ 36 Figure 8 - Northwest Corridor Bus Routes, Boardings per Hours, 2014 .................... 37 Figure 9- Gold Corridor Bus Routes, Farebox Recovery 2012 ................................. 38 Figure 10- Northwest Corridor Bus Routes, Farebox Recovery 2012 ....................... 39 2 Maps Map 1 - G-Line Alignment ..................................................................................5 Map 2 - B Line Alignment ...................................................................................6 Map 3- Station Boardings, Mode of Access to Stations, Passenger Volumes Between Stations ........................................................................................................ 10 Map 4- Westminster Station Transit Oriented Development ................................... 14 Map 5 - Population & Employment Density in 2015.............................................. 20 Map 6 - Minority Population Density in 2012....................................................... 21 Map 7 - Minority Population - Density in 2012..................................................... 22 Map 8 - Zero Vehicle Households, Density in 2012 .............................................. 23 Map 9 - Senior Citizens Density in 2012............................................................. 24 Map 10- Service Plan Recommended Network Map .............................................. 47 3 1 Introduction 1.1 Background and Focus As part of the overall FasTracks program to enhance rail service in the Denver region, the upcoming Gold Line and Northwest Line also known as the G-Line and B-Line respectively will represent significant milestones in achieving improved connectivity and travel times for RTD customers. Both projects are likely to stimulate residential, retail, and commercial growth and contribute to increases in ridership within the corridors. The Gold and Northwest Corridor Service Plan contains recommendations for developing a restructured bus network capable of meeting the demand and mobility needs generated by the expansion of commuter rail and light rail services. Recommendations in this study were formulated based on a comprehensive assessment of existing conditions, service area demographics, transit market research, route performance and analysis, and stakeholder input. Data collection activities included both on-site field work and stakeholder meetings held with RTD and FasTracks personnel. 1.2 Study Area The study area of this project is defined by the RTD West Line to the south, the US 36 & Broomfield Park-n-Ride to the north, Interstate 25 and downtown Denver to the east, and the City of Golden to the west. The study area includes the cities of Arvada, Denver, Thornton, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge, as well as unincorporated areas in Denver and Jefferson Counties. 4 Map 1 - G-Line Alignment The G-Line is a future 11.2-mile commuter rail line that will run along the BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad right of way from Denver Union Station (DUS) to the City of Wheat Ridge. The G-Line will serve eight stations, including DUS, 41st/Fox, Pecos Junction, Clear Creek/Federal, 60th & Sheridan/Arvada Gold Strike, Olde Town Arvada, Arvada Ridge, and Wheat Ridge/Ward. The G-Line is expected to open in 2016. Total travel time between DUS and the Wheat Ridge/Ward terminal station is approximately 25 minutes. 5 Map 2 - B Line Alignment 6 The B-Line is a future 41-mile commuter rail line from Denver Union Station (DUS) to Longmont, passing through the Cities of Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville, Boulder, and Gunbarrel. Portions of the B-Line are adjacent to the US 36 BRT project. The first 6.2-mile segment from DUS to south Westminster is expected to be completed in 2016 and will be the focus area of this study. This segment will serve two stations including Denver Union Station and Westminster/71st Ave. The remaining segment of the project, from Westminster north to Longmont, will require additional funding before construction can begin. 1.3 Relevant Studies The following review highlights the key findings from previous planning studies and publications relevant to the study area, which include: • Gold Line Corridor Transit Operations Plan (2009) • Northwest Rail Corridor Final Environmental Evaluation (2010) • West Corridor Service Plan (2013) • Downtown Denver Commuter Survey (2013) • Arvada Transit Station Framework Plan (2007) • Westminster Station Transit Oriented Development • Wheat Ridge Northwest Subarea Plan (2013) Arvada Transit Station Framework Plan (2007) The Arvada Transit Station Plan envisions the development of a transit oriented district surrounding the station of Olde Town Arvada on the G-Line. The plan creates two distinct downtown mixed-use development districts: Olde Town and New Town. New Town would include an increased mix of land uses, including medium density housing and commercial/office space, while the historic character of Olde Town would be preserved by maintaining the existing scale of development. Gold Line Corridor Transit Operations Plan (2009) The Gold Line Corridor Transit Operations Plan contains bus and rail operations plans related to the environmental benefits, costs, and impacts of the proposed service alternatives. Existing transit service descriptions and characteristics of the corridor and corresponding routes are provided. Two alternatives for transit service are presented within the bus operations plan, including the “No Action” and “Baseline” alternatives. The “No Action” alternative assumes no new major transit investments with only the existing plus committed facility and operating improvements assumed. The “Baseline” alternative contains operating improvements designed to improve transit access, circulation, and travel time within the study area. 7 The rail operations service plan includes the following proposed service levels on the G- Line: Table 1 - G-Line Planned