The Denver Post — RTD leaders would be wise, we think, to refrain from going to metro voters in November for a sales tax hike to support the FasTracks rail system.

A story in Friday’s Post said several key RTD directors were leaning against the move, saying this isn’t the right economic time to ask voters for more money.

They’re right about that.

Waiting, reassessing and perhaps going to the ballot in 2012 is a far more prudent course of action.

We also hope RTD will spend the next couple of years figuring out the best ways to trim back the total bill for the rail system so the agency can approach voters with the smallest tax hike possible.

Unfortunately, RTD board members have, at least for now, put aside consideration of what they call “potential critical adjustments” as they’ve worked on finalizing the project’s 2010 financial plan.

The reductions, which center on running trains less frequently, could depress ridership. But the move also could save hundreds of millions of dollars.

Cost-saving strategies need to be on the front burner, not held as a backup plan. [read more…]