Littleton Independent 011013

Page 1

LITTLETON 1/10/13

January 10, 2013

Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 123, Issue 51

75 cents

A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourlittletonnews.com

RTD introduces smart-card system First phase affects those with EcoPass, CollegePass By Tom Munds

tmunds@ourcoloradonews.com The Regional Transportation District ushered in the New Year by launching the first phase of its smart-card program. Holders of an EcoPass or a CollegePass can now use a smart card that changes the way those passengers let RTD know they rode the bus or light rail, and how RTD captures fare and ridership data. Before the smart card, pass holders had to always carry their pass with them and be ready to show it if asked.

The smart card is a reusable plastic card the size of a credit card containing an embedded chip that instantaneously processes information. An electronic reader validates the card, updates information on the card, defines the correct fare and validates a transfer. RTD had volunteer smart card ambassadors like Pauletta Tonilas at bus stops and light rail stations to help anyone who had a question about how to use the new device. Tonilas was at the Englewood Light Rail Station for the morning rush hour Jan. 3 and 4. She said many people had no questions as they used the card. Commuter Kevin Kabance swiped the reader with his smart card but wasn’t sure it worked. But Tonilas said the yellow light at the top of the reader showed the card had been read.

“I’m not sure about the card,” Kabance said. “It seems like a good idea but I would rather have seen the turnstile system other cities use to make sure no one is not paying the fare.” He said he sort of likes the system but he had always carried his pass and had it handy if a fare checker requested to see it. “I guess this could be easier,” he said. “I just am not sure about the system so I guess I’ll have to wait and see.” Brent Fallsworth, a Littleton resident who is a CollegePass holder, said he will be getting a smart card and, from what he has read, it will easier for him to use RTD. “I ride light rail to and from classes at the Auraria Campus,” he said as he waited for the train at the Littleton station. “From what I am told, I will just tap the card on the reader and I’m good to go. It’ll

RTD smart-card ambassador Pauletta Tonilas, left, helps a commuter use his card. Smart cards are swiped at a reader to record the trip and the fare. Photo by Tom Munds be better than always having to have my pass in easy reach. That’ll be nice.” Scott Reed, RTD public affairs

officer, said smart cards either have been issued or will be issued RTD continues on Page 5

C-470 talks wind into final stretch Coalition expects to make expansion decision soon By Ryan Boldrey

rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com

cilor Bruce Beckman. Nearly everyone who spoke at the Arapahoe County Administration Building commended her work to preserve open space and the South Platte River corridor in particular, calling it a true legacy that will benefit generations to come. “You’re a rock star,” said Commissioner Nancy Jackson. Commissioner Nancy Sharpe lauded Beckman’s creation of the “working group” concept, which brings stakeholders together to collaborate on regional issues. The practice has been applied to the river corridor, the High Line Canal and the Cherry Creek Basin corridor. In 2008, the Denver Regional Council of Governments recognized the South Platte Working Group with its highest honor, the Metro Vision Award. “You don’t just focus on your community, you reach out to other communities too,” said Douglas County Commissioner Jill Repella. Several people spoke of Beckman’s work

After months of public outreach, town halls and community surveys, the C-470 Corridor Coalition expects to decide by March or April how to pursue expanding the busy freeway corridor from Interstate 25 to Kipling Street. “I think overall people are saying there is something that needs to be fixed when it comes to the congestion,” said Jack Hilbert, a Douglas County commissioner who serves as chair of the coalition’s policy committee. According to the coalition, eastbound travelers from Kipling to I-25 face delays of more than 11 minutes during the morning rush hour, and westbound travelers are delayed as much as 18 minutes in the evening. Growth along the corridor is expected to increase by more than 30 percent over the next 20 years. Beginning with a series of telephone town halls in July, the coalition has been busy presenting three options to citizens and area business leaders: tolling any additional lanes and keeping the existing lanes free; tolling all the lanes, old and new; and raising property or sales taxes to pay for additional new lanes. “The one thing that has come across clear,” Hilbert said, “is that there is just no way in the world you could go back and toll existing roadways. No matter what is decided, existing (lanes) will remain free.” Hilbert said the coalition is leaning toward a decision to toll any new or additional lanes to pay for construction and maintenance. He said this will be discussed heavily at the coalition’s January and February meetings, when they go over results from a recent telephone survey conducted by Hill Research Consultants. “If we go that route, construction could start in early 2014, if not sooner,” he said. “If we pick a financing option that requires a vote (raising taxes), that obviously pushes it out further. But I don’t think those two options are what I am hearing citizens say. I’m hearing citizens say `yeah, fix it, but we want someone else to pay the taxes.’” Raising taxes was a popular option in the early town hall surveys, but according to Hill’s survey only 9 percent of people

Beckman continues on Page 5

C-470 continues on Page 5

Outgoing Arapahoe County Commissioner Susan Beckman addresses the crowd at her going-away party Jan. 3. Photo by Jennifer Smith

Beckman bash brings bravos Commissioner served 12 years in Arapahoe By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com Susan Beckman’s going-away party was a veritable Who’s Who of the South Metro area, with everyone from mayors to ordinary citizens paying tribute to her 12 years as an Arapahoe County commissioner. Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon officially

proclaimed it “Susan Beckman Day.” State Rep. Kathleen Conti read an official tribute from the Colorado House of Representatives. John Brackney, president of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, made her an honorary lifetime member. “When I first met her, I thought she was young and sexy and fun and smart,” Brackney said at the Jan. 3 gathering. “Now I’m old, and she’s young and sexy and fun and smart.” That got a good laugh, even from her very proud husband, Littleton City Coun-

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