RTD Code of Conduct
The current RTD Code of Conduct was initially approved on December 20, 2016 by RTD’s Board of Directors and amended on July 21, 2020.
Following an internal staff review that began in 2022, RTD proposed changes to its Code of Conduct and associated Suspension Policy. The changes were controversial to say the least, with a proposal to ban riding around on the system all day with no apparent purpose being seen as an unfair attack on unhoused individuals who have nowhere else to go. Following representations made by GDT and other advocacy groups, the agency has since changed course and is now conducting a community engagement exercise on the proposed changes.
Please get your survey response in by Friday June 2nd.
Our View…
While it’s definitely long compared to other transit agencies, the current RTD Code of Conduct covers most of the behaviors that are at odds with running a safe and comfortable transit system. The proposed changes simplify and build on this.
– We are in support of comprehensive fare checks being carried out on trains to enforce the Code of Conduct.
– We are in support of appropriate police and security patrols to discourage anti-social behavior, including illegal drug use, vandalism, littering and the playing of loud music.
– We are in support of the two proposed clauses which specifically ban harassment, sexual harassment, bullying and abusive language.
– Clause 36 (‘Unplugging a data or electrical plug already being used in an RTD vehicle or facility’) needs to be reworded to clarify that it is OK to unplug your personal device when you have finished charging.
– We support homeless, mental health and addiction outreach staff working in partnership with RTD employees and transit police to offer immediate help and assistance to those in need. This should include utilizing Denver’s STAR Program and providing a destination where willing individuals may immediately go to receive help, services and treatment with no conditions attached as an alternative to remaining on the transit system.
Sample Feedback – Just copy and paste into the online form to send…
For Question 3, we suggest you select ‘Strongly agree’.
For Question 5, we suggest you select ‘Illegal drug use’.
Question 15:
I am broadly in support of the proposed changes to the RTD Code of Conduct, in particular the two new clauses which specifically ban harassment, sexual harassment, bullying and abusive language. However, I request that you please review the wording to Clause 36 (‘Unplugging a data or electrical plug already being used in an RTD vehicle or facility’) to clarify that it is OK to unplug your personal device when you have finished charging.