RTD Fare Study
2022 RTD Fare Study and Equity Analysis
Despite the last fare study being conducted only six years ago, RTD has continued to receive feedback that its fares are expensive and difficult to understand. Because of this, the agency is conducting another fare study, this time from an equity standpoint with a much bigger emphasis on how fares affect disadvantaged and minority groups. The 2022 fare study has four phases and we encourage you to get involved in the process:
– Phase 1 – Feedback on current fare structure (completed Spring 2022).
– Phase 2 – Conceptual options (completed Summer 2022).
– Phase 3 – Fare alternatives (completed Fall 2022).
– Final recommendations and public hearings (early 2023).
Recommended Fare Structure
Current Fares
– The current fares charged on RTD.
Recommended Fares
– Combines local & regional fare destinations. Is a response to people who say fares are too complicated.
– Lowers fares across the board. Is a response to people who say fares are too expensive.
– Reduces fares to destinations such as Boulder by 43% (52% for regular riders).
– Airport fare is included in local monthly pass.
Recommended Fare Rates
Our View
Greater Denver Transit supports the recommendations from the fare study for the following reasons:
– The $88 monthly fare cap / pass is great value with great marketing potential to encourage people to use transit (e.g. ‘all of RTD for under 100 bucks a month’).
– Journeys such as Denver to Boulder will cost just $5.50 roundtrip, which is cheaper than driving.
– Anyone who uses RTD on a daily basis with a monthly fare cap / pass effectively gets their airport travel included at no extra cost.
– Discounts for low income riders, seniors, Medicare recipients and riders with disabilities are harmonized, with a great value $27 monthly fare cap / pass and a $1.35 airport fare.
– Free youth (19 and younger) fares will be a huge benefit to the districts’ high school students.
Sample Feedback – Just copy and paste into the online form to send…
Question 5:
I am writing to express my support for the proposed fare structure as recommended by the RTD Fare Study. The new fare structure is much simpler to understand for riders and will offer some incredibly good value journeys on RTD such as Denver to Boulder. In addition, the proposed $88 monthly fare cap / pass will offer anybody who uses RTD multiple times a week a great deal, including those who work at Denver Airport. I am also in support of raising the LiVE discount to 50% and providing steeply discounted monthly fare caps / passes and airport fares for low income riders, seniors, Medicare recipients and riders with disabilities. Lastly, I support the trial of free youth fares, which will be a huge benefit to the districts’ high school students.