MENU
SEARCHMichael Ford will take over the new position and oversee the assistant general managers of rail operations and bus operations.
Before joining RTD, Michael Ford held leadership positions at the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, the San Joaquin Regional Transit District, and TriMet in Portland. Photo: RTD
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado, has named transit veteran Michael Ford its new chief operating officer (COO), a new position created to oversee all of the agency’s bus and rail operations.
As COO, Ford will oversee the assistant general managers of rail operations and bus operations. He will work with bus and train operators, mechanics, and support staff to ensure that the agency’s operations are reliable, safe, and clean.
Before joining RTD, Ford served as CEO of Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan, in Detroit; CEO of Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority; COO and assistant general manager of the San Joaquin Regional Transit District; and director of transportation operations and executive advisor to the general manager at TriMet, in Portland. He has also held positions with Community Transit, a public transit authority in the Seattle metropolitan area, and Greyhound.
Ford earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and philosophy from Pacific University and an MBA from City University of Seattle.
METRO Executive Editor Alex Roman presented the award to the operation’s President/CEO Scott Parsons at the United Motorcoach Association’s EXPO in Birmingham, Alabama.
Read More →
The brand strategy was developed based on input from RTA board members, staff, and stakeholders, along with secondary research conducted over a months-long process.
Read More →
In close coordination with regional partners including Caltrain and BART, the agency ensured convenient interagency connections and seamless transfers for game-day passengers.
Read More →
Because rail has high fixed costs and low marginal savings, it is impossible to close the projected FY27 $376M deficit with service cuts and fare increases alone, said agency officials.
Read More →
The total ridership includes all fixed-route bus service, C-VAN paratransit service, The Current, Vanpool, and special event service. Almost all individual routes saw year-over-year increases from 2024 to 2025.
Read More →
Transit agencies across the U.S. commemorated Transit Equity Day with zero fares and a renewed focus on access and equity.
Read More →
The Renton Transit Center project will relocate and rebuild the Renton Transit Center to better serve the regional Stride S1 line, local King County Metro services, and the future RapidRide I Line.
Read More →
In this episode of METROspectives, METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sits down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group).
Read More →
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, NCTD, STV, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
Read More →
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Read More →
