Transit Leadership: RTD Hosts 25 Industry Peers for National Program

The Regional Transportation District concluded a week-long session in Denver that gathered 25 transit professionals from across the United States. The event served as the host site for the Transit Academy, a leadership program run by the National Transit Institute. Participants arrived to examine how RTD manages service delivery throughout the Denver metro area.

The National Transit Institute operates this specific cohort three times annually. Organizers contacted RTD earlier this year to select Denver as the location. They cited active infrastructure projects as key reasons for the choice. These include the ongoing construction of the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit line. The selection also followed the completion of RTD's first five-year Strategic Plan.

Allison Korinek, a Learning and Training Specialist at RTD, led the planning process beginning in the spring of 2026. She described the industry as operating at the intersection of transportation delivery and public service. Korinek noted that agencies must manage diverse stakeholder groups with sometimes conflicting priorities. She stated that the program offers a rare chance for consultation among American transit organizations.

The agenda aligned with RTD's four Strategic Priorities: Service Excellence, Building a Better RTD, Enhancing Public Trust, and Customer and Community Connections. During the week, attendees discussed service planning, operations, and infrastructure. They shared lessons learned with peers from other cities. The curriculum emphasized practical applications of public service challenges.

Participants toured physical assets to understand daily operations. Visits included rail and bus maintenance facilities. They also inspected Bus-Only Lane Operations stations on East Colfax and the Security Command Center. The final day featured an executive roundtable. RTD General Manager and CEO Debra Johnson led the discussion with the group.

Korinek attributed the final agenda structure to her colleagues at the agency. She expressed appreciation for the effort required to make the program possible. The initiative mirrors RTD's Multi-Agency Exchange program. Both efforts aim to build relationships and exchange ideas among agencies facing similar opportunities.

The National Transit Institute continues to offer in-person and virtual courses throughout the year. RTD employees can access these through the agency's Continuing Education and Professional Development Program. This initiative remains an available employee benefit for staff seeking further training.