Six transit agencies join federal ‘The Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose’ initiative

The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), along with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) Police Department, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), have joined The Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose, an initiative led by the Biden-Harris Administration that asks stakeholders from across all sectors to commit to increased training on and access to lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medications. Along with the transit industry, the initiative also includes public and private partners in air travel, education, hospitality and entertainment. 

Denver RTD, BART, New Jersey Transit Police, SEPTA and WMATA train and equip officers with Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal medication. MBTA is working to make Narcan available at all Red Line rail stations. The White House reports these transit agencies have administered more than 2,000 doses of naloxone since making their commitment to the initiative.  

At Denver RTD, Narcan is carried by all POST-certified Transit Police officers and contracted security supervisors. Additionally, all contracted security guards have immediate access to Narcan in their vehicles. Narcan is also stored and available at Denver RTD’s major transit hubs across the agency’s 2,342-square-mile service area.  

In 2023, Narcan was successfully administered to 103 individuals experiencing an overdose at Denver RTD’s stops and stations, in buses and trains and at transit facilities. In the first two months of 2024, Denver RTD Police Department administered Narcan to 22 individuals. 

All active-duty Metro Transit Police Department MTPD officers and WMATA crisis intervention specialists have been equipped with Narcan since January 2023.