Now is not the time to stop investing in RTD transit options

“Put the brakes on RTD expansion,” Sept. 2 editorial.

I moved to the Denver region three years ago to live in a city where transit can be your main source for getting around. If you plan — no problem — getting around is easy.

While RTD has issues (sometimes many), it has made the region better. Now is not the time to stop investment in transit — the Denver region needs to step up and invest in more transit options. RTD needs to finish FasTracks and then help to take Denver to the next level. How? By investing in last-mile connections so more people can use transit and get its true benefits.

Like many, I don’t like paying taxes, but we get the government and services we deserve. Sometimes taxes need to be raised. Denver wants better transportation choices, and higher taxes are sometimes a must. Denver, it’s time to step up. ●●●

The idea that tough love is what will get people out of their cars and onto trains is ridiculous. The goal needs to be filling the trains. That will not happen if riders have fewer chances to commute.

For all the money spent on these systems, light rail should be the preferred way to travel. It will take lower fares and even free days to get people out of their beloved cars. The success of the light-rail investment cannot be based on fare revenues. If you build it, they will come — but it must be affordable and accessible.