The infamous and elusive B Line to Boulder - and beyond

It’s a question Coloradans have been asking themselves for decades: When will we finally see the promised RTD train connecting Denver to Boulder and Longmont?

[@swimgirl24]

I hope this is finished eventually. How the heck did it get so expensive to build???

[@mozarab4495]

Largely because of freight rail monopolies like BNSF

[@liambenson]

@@mozarab4495 is right, but the full answer is more complicated than that: first, after the 2004 vote, BNSF started using the CO-119/US-36 freight corridor more, and the price went up. Then the 2008 recession happened, and the price went up. Then the pandemic happened, and not only did the price go up but RTD ridership went down, and it still hasn't really recovered.

[@escondidofilms]

Having their own right of way should have been the plan. Sharing track with BNSF should have never been an option.

[@kyletopfer7818]

@@escondidofilms The BNSF has a line speed of less than 50 miles per hour anyway and large sections of only 30 miles per hour so it wouldn't be fast enough to compete with the bus anyway. Looks to me like Denver should copy Ottawa or BART and just smash it down the middle of the Turnpike with a short section of tunnel from Westminster.

[@kscptv]

Where has RTD spent the money they were given by the taxpayers for the B line?

[@jonathangreenlee9805]

Funds went to the other money losing lines. This is why gov't agencies don't follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP) like other publicly funded organizations. CalTrans, etc are no exception to this exception. It allows mismanagement to greenwash the original goals. Go Bustang!

[@mrvwbug4423]

A year later, the feds have swooped in and rescued the project, except Amtrak will be running the B line instead of RTD. Let's just hope it is fast, frequent and cheap when it's done (estimated 2027 start of service)

[@Ryan_hey]

I'm surprised RTD isn't using right-of-way transportation to access via the 36. It's a highway with quite a bit of space on either side for transit development, hence why there are tons of bus-only exits. I'm sure there's a good reason why--I'm just curious.

[@jeffgutierrez8796]

We wanted it, we voted on it, we never got it. We want our tax dollars back.

[@InWhoseOpinion]

Denver 7, please do a story on why the elevators and stairs are closed at Union Station? These elevators and stairs connect the underground bus gates with the tracks behind Union Station (tracks 1 to 7). This makes commuters coming up the East escalator go around the South end of the tracks to access tracks 2 through 7. Thank you

[@raebearalvarez7162]

If the tax players demanded their money back for a tax that has not been used to do what it promised, it would have to scramble. I love my job, don't get me wrong. The boats needs to be replaced and the system completely overhauled

[@jgs0025]

So, RTD promised a train, took the money, and then decided to not provide said train? I think that's called theft.

[@liambenson]

The only real timely solution here would be to secure Federal funding for this project; the Colorado Constitution's "Taxpayers Bill of Rights" says the state government cannot increase tax levels without a vote of the people, and since the people in Boulder and Longmont have such little trust for RTD, it is incredibly unlikely that they would ever vote to increase taxes to finish FasTracks. Now, Amtrak is expressing interest in opening a rail line along the Front Range, and if they were to utilize the CO-119/US-36 corridor it could help finish the B line; allowing RTD to operate their commuter rail and Amtrak to operate their inter-city rail on the same tracks would cut costs for RTD, and inter-city rail could be a great way for non-commuters to get to Denver and for Amtrak to expand its network

[@idk-ol2it]

states pays for commuter amtraks ai Downeaster keystone

[@chhewee]

😌after they done handed out the millions to friends and loved ones they out of cash😅😅😅

[@JaredVonBaren]

But why would you want it now if it is just a “homeless people moving platform” as I’ve heard so many call it?

[@Ryan_hey]

Because train transit is the future. Anyone in Denver and Boulder can see how car traffic will only get worse. If you want less houseless people on the train, the platforms shouldn't be left wide open in the city center. A gated platform with ticket entry would prevent that.

[@stewartdeerfield]

Don't worry, the D's will come up with another tax increase to ensure this project gets delayed again. Oh, sorry, I mean the state will get more fed $'s as they support the failed admin.

[@idk-ol2it]

when a highway is half built u dont say well it costed too much lets cut it

[@stewartdeerfield]

Yep, you stop it before you start it.@@idk-ol2it

[@RKingis]

Hyperloop!!!!!

[@erikgustafson9319]

Hell no