Westminster Councilman Calls New 'B Line' Another 'Wound On RTD'

WESTMINSTER, Colo. (CBS4) - Denver's Regional Transportation District's new B Line is now taking passengers.

Monday was the first day of service for the commuter rail. The train runs between 72nd Avenue and Federal Boulevard in Westminster and Union Station -- and every train is a nonstop.

All it takes to ride the B Line each way is $2.60, and then it's all aboard and off to Denver in just about 11 minutes.

"It was a smooth ride, only about 10 minutes," said B Line passenger Jon Putnam.

"It provides mobility, connections to jobs, to health care, to educational opportunities," said Dave Genova, RTD General Manager and CEO.

"I think it's great. It's going to be a good opportunity for all of us who live up north over here to get downtown faster," another B Line passenger told CBS4.

The new commuter rail is the latest addition in RTD's multi-billion-dollar transit project aimed at expanding services throughout the region.

"It's a great thing for the neighborhood," B Line passenger Kim Adamache said.

But Westminster city councilman Bruce Baker doesn't see it that way.

"I see this project as opening another sore, another wound on RTD which will hemorrhage from for years to come," Baker said.

Baker believes the money could have been better spent in Denver, leaving the suburb of Westminster alone.

"All we've become is the vassal of Denver. We've become the servants of Denver," Baker said.

But passengers see the new line as serving a greater purpose.

"First of all you don't have to wait in traffic, and also you don't have to pay for parking downtown," another passenger said.

RTD says they're already looking ahead to their next projects. The G and R lines -- connecting Wheat Ridge, Arvada and Aurora to the system -- are scheduled to open later this year.

In:
• Arvada
• Federal Boulevard
• Wheat Ridge
• Aurora