Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, Denver RTD, SFMTA, Santa Clara VTA

Sound Transit

A new light rail vehicle on the elevated guideway south of the Federal Way Station, set to open in 2026, has been staged there in preparation for testing on the southern end of Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension.

The agency has already been doing testing on the northern part of the alignment between Angle Lake in SeaTac and the future Kent Des Moines Station, progressing from clearance testing to towed train cars to light rail vehicles operating under their own power, known as “live wire testing.”

Soon, the Federal Way portion of the route will see the same activities, though many occur overnight. Next to come will be testing on the middle of the alignment, including the rail segment that includes the long-span bridge known as Structure C, the longest in the Link light rail system. 

The land around the Federal Way Station is currently being used for staging and office trailers during construction will be available for transit-oriented development at project completion. This development, working closely with the city’s vision for the area, Sound Transit says, will contribute to a vibrant neighborhood connected to transit with housing, retail and community activities. 

As an extension of the 1 Line, the nearly eight-mile long Federal Way Link will bring regional connections to more South Sound communities with three new stations: Kent Des Moines near Highline College, Star Lake, and Federal Way Downtown. Selected travel times include Federal Way Downtown Station to Sea-Tac Airport in 16 minutes and Kent Des Moines to Downtown Seattle in 42 minutes.

Denver RTD

The RTD Board of Directors on March 12 announced that it has authorized the agency’s General Manager and CEO, Debra A. Johnson, to enter into a three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #72 to represent the RTD Transit Police (RTD-PD) force.

Following a special Board of Directors meeting last week to approve the agreement, RTD held a news conference and signing ceremony of the CBA’s preamble at the agency’s Blake Street headquarters.

According to RTD, the three-year agreement will raise the pay of Transit Police officers and Transit Police corporals 5% for 2025, retroactive to Jan. 1, 4% percent for 2026, and 4% for 2027. The collective bargaining agreement also raises starting pay for academy recruits to more than $71,000. The agreement raises a sworn officer’s starting pay to more than $77,00, and up to more than $110,000 for lateral officers depending on their years of experience.

“This inaugural agreement will guarantee competitive wages for Transit Police officers and corporals. Negotiations between the two parties were completed in three bargaining days due to a collaborative relationship shared by RTD and the FOP,” Johnson said.

“Today marks a significant milestone for the Transit Police Department and RTD, with the finalization of our collective bargaining agreement,” FOP #72 President Corey Averill said. “If anyone is thinking about joining our department, I would like you to know that RTD truly values and recognizes the efforts of its police force,” he added.

“It’s incredibly gratifying that this inaugural process moved quickly, with police officers overwhelmingly supporting the proposal. Their approval reflects a fair compromise that acknowledges their dedication and service to RTD, its employees and customers,” RTD Acting Chief of Police Steve Martingano said. “I want to thank Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #72 President Averill for his efforts in reaching this agreement, and the members’ dedication to fostering a safe and welcoming transit environment.”

RTD-PD has approximately 100 POST (Peace Officers Standards and Training)-certified officers on staff and a goal of 150 POST-certified offices by year-end. The agency is committed to RTD-PD has approximately 100 POST (Peace Officers Standards and Training)-certified officers on staff and a goal of 150 POST-certified offices by year-end. The agency says it is committed to creating a more welcoming transit environment, which includes implementing the following:

• Deploying officers around the clock based on customer feedback, calls for service data, and reporting trends across RTD’s service area.
• Coordinating security efforts with other police jurisdictions across RTD’s 2,345 square-mile service area.
• Increasing security presence at high-volume bus stops and rail stations during peak service times.
• Developing its detective bureau to investigate criminal activities.
• Implementing a live look-in camera system on the entire RTD fleet.
• Expanding the customer experience elevator experience program.

SFMTA

Led by State Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) and Assembly Member Mark González (D-Los Angeles), Sacramento legislators are asking the state for $2 billion to support transit across California. The lawmakers are requesting the flexible funding over two years, beginning in FY 2025-2026.

“Public transit is the backbone of our state’s economy,” Arreguín and González said in letters asking for the budget allocation. “Unfortunately, transit agencies statewide continue to face severe financial challenges.”

This money, the legislators say, would help agencies, including the SFMTA, fill budget gaps as the state develops long term revenue solutions. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie also has sent a letter to Sacramento strongly supporting the request.

“San Francisco needs public transit to thrive,” Mayor Lurie said.

Meanwhile, the SFMTA is part of a coalition of more than 60 organizations, including transit operators, business groups, unions and others that is urging the state to provide this funding.

“Our severe budget shortfall at the SFMTA is no secret,” the agency said. “The pandemic reduced tax revenue and grant funding, as well as revenue generated from parking fees and transit fares. Meanwhile, the costs of running our system have continued to rise.

“We have been working to close a $50 million budget gap that is expected to begin on July 1, 2025. By July 2026, that shortfall will reach $320 million because our current state and federal relief funding will have run out.

“Money from the state will help sustain us while we work to solve this fiscal crisis. We have partnered with the San Francisco Controller’s Office to convene the Muni Funding Working Group. The group is studying ways to close the shortfall and will issue a set of recommendations to address our financial needs long term.”

Santa Clara VTA

The Santa Clara VTA said March 15 that it has asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to “order striking transit employees back to work, serving thousands of South Bay riders, while it works out a new contract,” according to a Bay City News report.

According to the report, the VTA, whose light rail trains and buses have been idled since workers walked out March 10, also disclosed that it filed the same day for a Superior Court injunction to “stop the irreparable harm to the community.” The agency, Bay City News reports, said the court has not yet set a hearing.

The VTA, according to the report, “argues that Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, representing more than 1,500 VTA workers, violated a ‘no strike’ clause in its contract, even though the agreement expired at 11:59 p.m. March 9.”

Union President Raj Singh could not be reached for comment Saturday afternoon, according to Bay City News, which added that there was “no immediate response to messages left with the governor’s press office.”

VTA said the request for the governor’s involvement was sent Saturday afternoon. The agency said it is awaiting a response, according to the report.

In its appeal to the governor, VTA asks Newsom to appoint a Board of Investigation. Such a board, according to the Bay City News report, “is permitted under state law to examine the issues in a public transportation labor dispute. Appointing a board would have the effect of suspending the strike, at least temporarily, because a work stoppage is prohibited during the investigation.”