RTD will be recalling all of its full-time union workers who were laid off during the pandemic as the agency is expecting to receive more than $200 million from a recent COVID-19 relief package.

RTD will also begin the process to bring back all of its 137 part-time union operators, working with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001.

“We endeavor to have people back in their seats as quickly as possible,” said RTD CEO Debra Johnson of full-time workers. “At the outset, we would say early next week, contingent upon the testing process.”

RTD to receive over $200 million from latest COVID relief package

Johnson said only a few full-time workers have declined to return because of individual circumstances.

Recall letters were sent to all affected employees on Jan. 14. Employees must complete drug and alcohol testing before returning to work because of the safety nature of the positions.

RTD first announced it was reducing its budget and staff because of the financial impacts of COVID-19 in September. The agency reduced its workforce by 309 represented employees and 90 salaried employees.

RTD does not currently plan to bring back salaried staff since Johnson said the positions were determined unnecessary to support RTD’s ongoing, much-reduced level of service during the pandemic.

RTD issues revised safety measures in Union Station bus concourse to curb spread of COVID-19

“We are looking at service adjustments,” Johnson said. “Rest assured that we are going to have people readily available to deliver transit services to those that most need it.”

On Jan. 11, RTD was notified that it will receive $203,367,528 from the 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act signed by former President Donald Trump in late December.

The funding is to be used as soon as possible and can be used for any operational costs associated with COVID-19, including staffing.

RTD said about $190.9 million of the funding will go toward the Denver-Aurora area and $12.5 million will go toward the Boulder area.