Director’s Pledge

The RTD Director’s Pledge

1. Initiatives

Directors should be actively working with their fellow Board members to advance policies that improve RTD.

• In collaboration with other directors, be part of at least three Director-led initiatives per year that resolve to improve RTD policy from a rider and / or employee perspective.
• Use committee work plans or “three Director-initiated actions” as necessary to advance items through committees for further consideration of the full Board.
• Consult with RTD staff as needed, but… remember it is the Directors that have the final say!
• Repeat committee / full Board process for consent.

2. Outreach

Directors should be committed to actively making themselves available for public outreach.

• Organize at least two constituent outreach events each year in your District.
• Events should facilitate genuine two-way conversations with constituents when possible.

3. Agency Performance

Directors should be committed to meaningful transparency.

• Provide active oversight over the complete cycle of RTD’s transit service delivery from the planning and scheduling phase to the end product that the rider experiences.
• Drive RTD to publish detailed data and summaries of metrics related to safety, reliability, accessibility, ridership, represented headcount, rider satisfaction and financial performance.
• Be prepared to push back (as appropriate) on RTD staff if data is not accurate, complete or published in a timely manner.

4. GM & CEO Performance

Directors should be willing to ensure RTD has a GM & CEO that can lead the agency effectively.

• Only approve GM & CEO performance assessment criteria if key metrics are included, such as targets related to safety, reliability, accessibility, ridership, represented headcount, rider satisfaction and financial performance.
• The Board office must take the lead on defining and presenting GM & CEO performance criteria – not RTD staff.
• Directors should not be afraid (if appropriate) to advocate for a change in GM & CEO.

5. Contract Approvals

Directors should insist on the ability to exercise basic oversight when contracts are requested to be approved.

• RTD Staff should give Directors at least 7 days to review in full any contract approval is requested for.
• A summary presentation alone is not sufficient.
• Executive sessions should be used to brief Directors as appropriate.
• If staff fail to provide the required contract information in a meaningful manner, it should be an automatic “no” vote / abstain.