DENVER’S TRANSIT SYSTEM KEEPS A CARFUL EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The Denver metro area’s bus system, RTD, is among the greenest in the country. The company has used new environmental technology to develop systems that “reduce emissions, conserve resources, address environmental concerns and improve the air quality of the metropolitan area.”

RTD pioneered transit use of electric vehicles in 1982 on Denver’s 16th Street Mall. The original fleet is still in operation – and has not been expanded due to the limited operating time (three to four hours) between recharges, which take eight hours. RTD is improving the technology even more by replacing the buses with new hybrid-electric buses, a technology that consists of a clean-burning CNG-fueled engine which drives an electric generator. The shuttles remain as a free service to passengers.

RTD launched another progressive program in conjunction with the Colorado School of Mines in Golden. The high altitude test lab for heavy-duty engines is the only one of its kind in the world. Using chassis and engine dynamometers, the lab evaluates new engine technologies and fuels under real conditions.

RTD rebuilds its bus and light-rail engines in-house, using advanced technology that eliminated harmful fumes from caustic detergents and no hazardous waste disposal problems.

Not only are all buses tested annually to meet state emission standards – they also have to pass RTD emission standards, which are twice as strict.

The company extends its environmental awareness to such areas as using low-maintenance, drought-resistant landscaping at its Park-n-Rides. As a company, RTD recycles newspapers, office paper, computer paper and aluminum cans in all offices and, for years, has set up special bins at major bus stations for commuters to recycle newspapers.

RTD looks to the future and it continues to explore new, better ways to help the city, the state – and the world.

For more information, and for route schedules,
visit the website at rtd-denver.com.