Modern World

I have driven buses for schools and charters.  Driving the metro system has been a totally different concept for me.  While Wichita, KS (our previous city) had city buses, we never took the time to use them. Now, that my family and I have moved to Denver and I have been driving the buses, and now the Light Rail, my eyes have been opened up to a whole new world.  A whole idea that is an old concept is being revamped and proposed to the community.  Just as we picked up and left Liberal, KS, the city had just opened up their own bus system.

My family and I have watched the show "Blackish" on ABC, lately, and there is something I noticed the sitcom advertising:  Uber.  On the streets, you may drive past somebody twirling around a poster-board to drive for "Uber".  Driving down I-25 and US36, in Denver, there are signs and billboards encouraging everybody to carpool.

There are so many commuter incentives that the city creates to encourage you to not travel alone.  In Denver, I-25 and US-36 have HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes. Where, driving alone, you would need to pay via  mail, if you have 2 or more people in your vehicle, you are exempt.  While NYC has had its subways and Europe has had it's rail lines for decades, urban life has only begun to revolutionize on the way we transit.

Currently, the DIA (Denver International Airport) is undergoing an expansion project that invites the surrounding communities to contribute to its development (Adams County Neighbors near Airport.)  One of the proposed developments is a spaceport (For more info on spaceports see www.spaceportamerica.com and www.virgingalactic.com.)
By stepping it up a notch with the way we travel, the whole metro system has to step up its game to put out a "transit oriented" state of mind.

By 2016, Denver is opening up a commuter rail system that will be run by the contractors who have helped RTD (Regional Transit District) fund the expansion.  This group, Denver Transit Partners, has set up what is known as the Eagle P3 project (See FasTracks and DTP).  This commuter rail will open up 4 new alignments from Denver Union station to Wheat Ridge, Westminster, Northglenn, and the DIA.  RTD will later be opening up one more alignment for Light Rail which expands the the tracks at 9 mile running along I-225 to Peoria.


As these systems develop, you will notice apartments booming all round the rail alignments. Alameda Station and Downtown Denver are undergoing major changes.  Since, my family and I only came in October of 2014, I may not know just what those areas used to be like; however, I see many "transit-oriented developments" such as Wadsworth Station, 10th & Osage Station, Yale Station, and Englewood station.  Here is a proposal for Westminster Station:
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As the city grows, new people will be coming to Denver.  While the cost of housing may be a bit pricey, it is not very hard to find a job.  When I drove the "0" down Broadway, a man told me that Denver has been booming for the past 5 years.  I have heard it said that, "when there is a vision, there is success."

You may be thinking about living in Denver or possibly even visiting.  This blog is geared towards those who may be anxious about riding the expanding transit system.  As a driver, I can give you helpful advice on how to ride.  Not everyone in the world has ridden a plane, let a lone a metro train.  I, myself, have been nervous to take city transportation but after some time and experience, I am ready to share with you some of what I know.  I will share with you ways that can help the passengers help the driver reach the final destination safely and punctually.

If you have any questions or topics you would like me to cover, please feel free to leave a comment.  Safe travels!