After a year long effort by RTD’s Pass Program Working Group the future of equitable fares is now sitting in the hands of RTD staff and board. Mile High Connects (MHC), a member of the Pass Program Working Group, is on hand and ready to help. MHC’s experience dates back to 2014 when the first Affordable Fares Task Force of over 100 public, nonprofit, philanthropic and private sector partners was convened by MHC to advocate for affordability in the fare structure. MHC recognizes the challenge facing RTD staff both in the planning and implementation phases of an equitable fare structure, but also wants RTD to understand that they aren’t in this alone.

MHC and its network of partners are fully prepared to deploy their diverse resources to assist RTD staff with developing an implementation strategy. MHC recognizes that implementation will require some work but we urge RTD to take a problem solving approach and reach out to their community of experts ready to help.  The Denver metro region cannot afford to let the “design complexity” hinder access to affordable fares . Making Denver a more equitable place to live and work starts with ensuring that our public transportation system – and the economic opportunities it provides – is both affordable and accessible to all.

RTD’s staff will make their first public report to the board of directors regarding the Pass Program Working Group’s recommendation to modify the existing discount pass program on Tues. March 27th at 5:30 pm. RTD first committed to creating an equitable pass program and convened a 25-member working group and hired a consulting firm to assist the group in evaluating the existing program over a year ago. The group completed its yearlong effort in February 2018, recommended 40 percent discount for low-income riders and a youth pass where riders under 12 are free and riders aged 13-19 receive a 70 percent discount.

The complete recommendation made by the working group and details of the proposed changes can be viewed on RTD’s Pass Program Working Group webpage. MHC will continue to advocate for a 50 percent discount for low-income riders recognizing that implementation of 40 percent discount will represent significant progress. 

To Date organizations such as The Denver Foundation, 9to5, United for a New Economy, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, Denver Women’s Collaborative, Mi Casa Resource Center, Cultivando, DenverWorks, Bayaud Enterprises, Colorado Fiscal Institute, West Denver Business Improvement District, Urban Peak, the Denver Post Editorial Board, The New York Times and others have voiced their support for equitable fares. Now is the time for the Denver Metro Region to move forward with a new pass program.

For those with the lowest levels of mobility and income, affordable transit can have significant and positive implications for social and economic inclusion. It’s time RTD’s commitment to building equity is put into action … Stand with MHC in support #FairFaresRTD to ensure that youth and low-income people have a chance to get to class on time, to that job interview, to that higher-paying job, to the grocery store or to that first-time home-buyer class. Attend the next RTD Board Meeting and make a public comment, call and send your elected RTD Board Director an email, and sign the petition created by Together Colorado.

View a list of RTD Board Members by county