DENVER -- Although the new light rail lines received mostly positive reviews during its big-game test on Sunday and first rush-hour test on Monday, one snag for people using the County Line Road rail station is that there's no access to the Park Meadows Retail Resort. And that is leaving riders very confused and frustrated.

One couple on Friday decided to walk along the exit ramp from northbound Interstate 25 to County Line to get over to the mall -- which is a big safety hazard. The old owners of the mall didn't want direct access to the train for numerous reasons.

But the good news is that the new owners have agreed to let Regional Transportation District build a pedestrian bridge. But that $4.5 million addition will take at least a year to build.

On Monday, some very frustrated riders learned that it's not so easy to just hop on the light rail and do holiday shopping in Lone Tree.

"We spent 40 minutes to get over here and now we have to spend another hour to get over to the mall," said RTD passenger and Wyoming resident Tammy Luck.

Luck and others thought that they could stop at the Park Meadows exit and walk to the mall, located about 100 feet away. But they simply can't get down the side of the platform because there are no stairs just yet. Instead they have to wait for a bus No. 406 and that comes only once an hour.

"I am just glad it is not snowing and raining," another passenger said.

RTD officials say the reason there isn't access to the mall is because of the mall.

"Unfortunately, the previous owners of the mall just did not want any access and unfortunately, because of that, people are not able to get there now," said RTD spokesman Scott Reed.

"Well, I don't think that that is an accurate statement. It just takes a long time to put together the right types of agreements and working relationships in order to do this type of thing," said Pam Schenk, with the Park Meadows Retail Center. "It is difficult because of the way the stations are aligned next to I-25."

RTD said that agreement just happened a month ago, and that means a walkway will be built within the year. But until the walkway to the mall is built, officials say the best plan is to get off the light rail at Dry Creek stop and catch a bus to the mall. Those buses run every 30 minutes.

For the time being, signs will be posted to help direct those who are looking to get to the mall from the light rail stop.

Light Rail Line Passes Rush-Hour Test

During the first rush-hour test Monday morning of the new southeast light rail line, a lot of people seem pleased. The first several cars that were headed for downtown Denver were packed with commuters and for the most part, all of the cars were running on time and on schedule.

The few problems that did arise were for workers who had to make transfers from the trains to the buses and then to work. Some workers said they were late to work because of a confusing schedule and transfer process.

"I'm way behind schedule, about an hour behind actually," said RTD rider David Cradle. "I had anticipated being able to make a connection at Nine-Mile by way of the light rail and then the light rail over here."

"There were no problems, just confusion. A lot of people who aren't used to it don't know and people are asking other people who don't know too, so it's like the blind leading the blind. But other than that, everybody's having fun," said rider Rodney Brooks.

RTD's biggest concern was with parking. There's limited parking at some stations because of limited real estate and budget constraints but those worries didn't materialize Monday. Most of the lots were about half-full, RTD said.

There are parking restrictions around certain stations, including the Dayton Station and the Louisiana-Pearl Station. Some areas have signs giving riders a two-hour parking limit and others say that there's no parking in the neighborhood without a permit. Denver officials hope the fear of a $20 parking ticket will prevent people from parking in the neighborhoods.

To cut down on some of the parking problems, RTD launched a new call-and-ride service that will take riders from Parker to the Lincoln station and to Aurora. For more information call 303-299-6000.

The new RTD line had its first real challenge on Sunday night following the Denver Broncos game at Invesco Field at Mile High. Fans who normally used light rail say they had to wait longer for a train to take them home.

RTD said the long lines that formed after the game were cleared out within an hour. RTD had a number of ambassadors at each station to help riders with questions.

The new lines that were unveiled last Friday run from Lincoln Avenue and Interstate 25, and from Parker Road and Interstate 225, all the way to downtown Denver's Union Station.

There are 19 miles of new track along the southeast corridor but plans call for 60 more miles of light rail to be built over the next 12 years.

More than 11,000 people used light rail to travel to and from downtown Denver Sunday night, breaking the old record by 4,000 passengers, RTD said.

On Friday, following the grand opening ceremony at noon, nearly 22,000 passengers were on the Southeast lines alone, RTD said. On Saturday, when free rides were extended to the entire light rail system, more than 75,000 passenger trips were counted on all six lines, easily a new record for the light rail system, RTD said.

"By any means, the opening of the southeast light rail has been a smashing success. It is very gratifying to open our fourth consecutive light rail line on time and on budget and have it so widely embraced by the public," said RTD general manager Cal Marsella.

Additional Information:

For more information on the southeast light rail visit SoutheastLightRail.com. For route and schedule information, call RTD’s telephone information center at 303-299-6000 or visit RTD’s Web site.