Denver Eagle P3

Denver Transit Partners

John Laing is a 50% owner in Denver Transit Partners (DTP), the consortium responsible for the design, finance, construction, and operations and maintenance of the Denver Eagle P3. Currently in the ninth year of a 29-year operational term, the Denver Eagle P3 is the only operating rail system delivered under a P3 model in the US and a flagship project for the market and asset class in North America.

The project experienced construction delays and a significant claim resulting in litigation, which was recently resolved. However, the system’s current successful operation and DTP’s positive relationship with the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) demonstrates that the project is now free from these legacy construction issues. From day one, the system’s operations have been hugely successful and widely recognized as high performing. The 66-electric-vehicle system transports approximately eight million passengers annually on three lines that connect downtown Denver with the Denver International Airport (via the A Line), with Denver’s northern suburbs (via the Northwest Rail Line), and with Denver’s southern suburbs (via the Gold Line). Through agreement with an operations and maintenance joint venture comprising Balfour Beatty and Fluor, DTP provides turnkey operations, dispatch, facilities maintenance, railcar fleet maintenance, and track and systems maintenance. In the summer of 2024, the A Line carried its 50 millionth customer trip, which was a major milestone for the service. Demonstrating excellence in operations and a successful partnership with Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), since its first year of operations in 2016, the A Line has: • Outperformed its projected ridership each year, with the exception of 2020 and the pandemic, as well as exceeding initial 2025 ridership projections and on track to exceed 2030 ridership projections • Maintained critical connectivity to the airport during major storms that resulted in road closures, providing the only passage to the airport for both airport employees and travellers • Provided customers with a positive first impression of Denver through this connection between the Denver International Airport and Denver Union Station Exceeding Expectations for Project Performance The Denver Eagle P3 project demonstrates remarkable performance through the following: Strong ridership and customer use despite restrictions during the pandemic – In total, the three rail lines that comprise the Denver Eagle P3 have carried in excess of 60 million passenger trips from inception through 2024. The A Line in particular has consistently outpaced its initial ridership projections by 120% coming out of the pandemic. Consistent system performance with overall availability of 98% – System performance is key to the overall service and customer experience with any public transportation service. The Denver Eagle P3 commuter rail lines consistently operate at a high level, exceeding the contractual requirements with an overall availability ratio of ~98% since service commencement, with the availability ratio comprising rolling stock availability, on-time performance, and facilities availability. This high level of functionality is the direct result of the purpose-built system, with significant thought and consideration placed in the design-build period towards the operating phase. DTP and John Laing are frequently approached by market participants to engage in lessons learned exercises, further demonstrating the Denver Eagle P3’s strong track record of operational performance and its positive perception by the commuter rail sector. Social Impacts and Transformative Effects on the Local Community Beyond ridership and customer service, DTP has made, and continues to make, lasting impacts in the communities it serves through the following: Over 3,000 jobs for Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SBEs/DBEs) – Through the design and build phase, the Denver Eagle P3 consortium met and exceeded the program goals associated with DBEs/SBEs, creating over 3,000 jobs in the Denver metro region. Through the innovative RTD-Workforce Investment Now (WIN) program, the consortium provided training to underserved workers to provide skilled labor for the project. Currently, in the operating phase, Denver Eagle continues in the spirit of the WIN program to hire and train from within the community, providing careers for 250 train operators and maintenance-of-way personnel. Operating phase DBE and SBE goals are currently being exceeded by 30%. Partnerships with local charities – DTP has held philanthropic partnerships with local organizations since the project’s design and construction began in 2010. For example: • A Precious Child: DTP’s partnership with A Precious Child has included annual “Stuff a Backpack” campaigns, which provide new backpacks and school supplies for families in need. • Habitat for Humanity: DTP’s efforts to support Habitat for Humanity include fiscal and physical support, through monetary contributions and sweat equity in volunteer hours spent building homes in the Denver metro region. Fostering significant transit-oriented development (TOD) along Denver Eagle P3’s three rail corridors – RTD defines TOD as residential and commercial development within a half-mile radius or 10-minute walk of transit facilities. RTD’s 2022 TOD study forecasted significant TOD growth along the A Line corridor: more than 5,000 new residential units, nearly 200 hotel rooms, and more than 1.2 million square feet of new commercial space. In addition, RTD’s 2022 TOD Status Report noted that while hybrid and remote work trends continue to impact development and ridership, TOD continues to expand along all three lines, including multifamily residential growth of up to 26% and commercial/office development growth of 31% between 2005 and 2022. The majority of this commercial development occurred while the Denver Eagle P3 lines—A, B, and G—went into revenue service. These achievements were made possible by the strength of the long-term working partnership between DTP and RTD. “RTD’s mission is to make lives better through connections. The agency’s A, B, and G lines, which together comprise the successful Eagle P3 Project, are critical to region’s transit landscape. I commend RTD’s commuter rail concessionaire, Denver Transit Partners, for the team’s commitment and collaboration in providing dependable and sustainable connections to key activity centers for millions of the region’s residents and visitors every year.” —Debra A. Johnson, RTD General Manager and CEO