Ghost Train

4.9 (385)
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Ghost Train is a unique podcast miniseries from Colorado Public Radio about the people with a vision for a greener transportation system in Colorado, the challenges that kept much of that plan from becoming successful and the ideas that might help the region move forward. Hosted by CPR News transportation reporter Nathaniel Minor (“Since Columbine,” “The Taxman”), Ghost Train explores an everyday problem that many American cities face and takes a hard look at the possible solutions. In 2004, Denver-area voters supported one of the most ambitious transit projects anywhere in the U.S. The plan called for a sprawling network of new rail lines that would let commuters glide by traffic and help transform Denver into a world-class city. But now, an uncomfortable truth has emerged: The train lines aren’t very useful to most people and have done relatively little to shift how they move around the region. And a key route in that network isn’t projected to open until 2050 and will cost at least $1.5 billion to complete. What’s the best path forward as leaders look to ease traffic gridlock and meet climate goals? And will the problems with this ambitious rail package doom other transit projects?

TRAILER

'Ghost Train' Explores How Denver's Vision For A Better Transit System Jumped the Track

In 2004, Denver-area voters backed one of the most ambitious transit projects in the U.S. This plan called for a sprawling network of new rail lines that would help commuters glide by clogged roadways and transform Denver into a world-class city. But as train lines opened, some uncomfortable truths emerged: The trains aren’t very useful to most people. The trains have done relatively little to shift how people move around the region. And they cost a lot of money. Denver’s love affair with trains is one of shared dreams and unstoppable personalities. It’s the story of billions of dollars and gleaming new infrastructure for a city on the rise. And for one particular corner of the metro area, it’s a story of disappointment and betrayal. Ghost Train is the story of how one polluted, traffic-choked city went all in on trains, and what happened when that plan jumped the track. Nathaniel Minor, the transportation reporter for Colorado Public Radio, has spent years trying to understand this anger, what these trains were meant to accomplish and whether they’re succeeding. But this story is about so much more than one train system in Colorado. Because Denver’s not the only place opening new rail lines. Cities all across America are turning to rail to face down big issues like climate change, traffic and inequity. Ghost Train from CPR News starts Feb. 8. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.

S1

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3 min

4.9

out of 5

385 Ratings

Amazing journalism from CPR

02/08/2024

Jandrewcat

Thanks for this in-depth reporting on such a vital issue. I hope the next generation can thank us for our investments in mass transit.
Long time Coloradan who finally understands

10/05/2023

Aguarnieri1381

A great listen if you’ve truly always wondered why this train has not happened yet. Like many Denverites, I commute to Boulder, and feel forced to drive. I hate it! RTD needs to at the very least bring back express bus. I learned so much from this reporting and do understand the complexity so much better now. But my trust in RTD remains LOW. (Next up, can CPR do a series on pot tax??? Where did it go??? Why does CO still have the lowest salaries for teachers, not great schools, and the worst roads). I’m starting to feel like we have some budgeting issues all around 🤔
Quick and Educational

09/26/2023

mliesucks

I’m not from Colorado and have never been there (didn’t even know they had rails there!) but this show popped up as a recommendation after finishing Parched from CPR and I loved it! The mini-series was the perfect length for me to listen on my commute (via rail) over the last couple days and I’m eager to keep up with the news on this rail system.
Fantastic

09/24/2023

NoisyTrumpet

Heard about this via a post on Boulder Reddit. Does a great job of explaining how we got to having light rail in the Denver Metro area and why Boulder lost out to a promise from RTD of a train from Denver.

Ghost Train is a unique podcast miniseries from Colorado Public Radio about the people with a vision for a greener transportation system in Colorado, the challenges that kept much of that plan from becoming successful and the ideas that might help the region move forward. Hosted by CPR News transportation reporter Nathaniel Minor (“Since Columbine,” “The Taxman”), Ghost Train explores an everyday problem that many American cities face and takes a hard look at the possible solutions. In 2004, Denver-area voters supported one of the most ambitious transit projects anywhere in the U.S. The plan called for a sprawling network of new rail lines that would let commuters glide by traffic and help transform Denver into a world-class city. But now, an uncomfortable truth has emerged: The train lines aren’t very useful to most people and have done relatively little to shift how they move around the region. And a key route in that network isn’t projected to open until 2050 and will cost at least $1.5 billion to complete. What’s the best path forward as leaders look to ease traffic gridlock and meet climate goals? And will the problems with this ambitious rail package doom other transit projects?