Recent service problems show impact of high vacancies as agency works to recover
By Jon Murray, The Denver Post
Shortages of bus drivers, train operators and some other key workers at the Regional Transportation District are just as large or worse than they were before a new union contract last year significantly raised wages, along with hopes for a turnaround.
The metro Denver transit agency was short 184 bus drivers as of last month — a 19% vacancy rate that’s improved since last summer, but is still slightly higher than it was in January 2022, according to RTD employment data. RTD has backslid when it comes to light rail train operators, with vacancies in that position growing from 8% to 19% since early last year.
And while some maintenance, technician and service categories have notched big improvements, others still are stuck with 30% or more of jobs empty.
RTD leaders point to an encouraging surge in applications after it began offering $4,000 hiring bonuses and the new union contract initially boosted wages at least 16%, with more raises to come. Total hiring more than doubled last year compared to 2021, helping to reduce or even eliminate some job vacancies in both union and non-union positions.
But a Denver Post review found that high turnover — while lower than it was during the pandemic — still undercuts those gains to a startling degree. Departures have averaged one employee every single day, skewed heavily toward newer employees who burn out quickly or violate RTD’s rules.