TRIP To Work: Request for Public Comment on 2009 Proposed Fare Changes

RTD will hold public hearings in September for January 2009 Proposed Fare Changes

[Please note that this press release has been modified by TRIPTOWORK to show only information relevant to our area. For a full copy of the press release visit RTD-Denver.com]

Denver – The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will hold a series of public hearings in September to discuss a fare increase proposed for January 2009 due to increased fuel prices and shortfalls in sales tax revenues. It is proposed that Local, Express and Regional cash fares increase by approximately 14 percent.

Proposed changes to fares are listed in the table below [only fares affecting TRIPtoWork users are listed here. For a full list please visit RTD-Denver.com]

Monthly Passes

Local
Current: $60.00
Proposed: $70.00

Express
Current: $108.00
Proposed: $128.00

Regional
Current: $144.00
Proposed: $164.00

Discount Local*
Current: $30.00
Proposed: $35.00

Discount Express*
Current: $54.00
Proposed: $64.00

Discount Regional*
Current: $72.00
Proposed: $82.00

*Discount Fares apply to seniors 65+, individuals with disabilities, Medicare recipients and students in elementary, middle and high school, ages 6-19.

**Up to three children age 15 and under ride free on skyRide with a paying adult.

Other recommended changes to the fare structure include:

College Pass Programs: Increase contacts for the 2009-2010 school year based on utilization data by service type for each institution and corresponding cash fares.


Eco Pass: Introduce a 50-employee minimum for eligibility to participate in Eco Pass programs. Increase per employee rates by 14 percent in every category in accordance with the overall proposed fare increase. Increase per employee rates by additional five percent in every rate category due to program ridership increases. Implement a $5.00 skyRide fee from all stops except Stapleton and 40th/Airport and SLA D contracts. Implement changes to Eco Pass Master Contracts to permit contributions by employees.

FlexPass Program: Introduce new employer pass program designed to encourage employers to offer subsidized monthly passes and to allow employees to purchase RTD fare products using pre-tax income.

Neighborhood Eco Pass: Increase per household rates by 14 percent in every rate category in accordance with overall fare increase. Increase per household rate by additional five percent in every rate category due to program ridership increases. Implement a moratorium on new or expanded Neighborhood Pass contracts until smart card data is available. Implement a $5.00 skyRide fee from all stops except Stapleton and 40th/Airport.


The public input process is an opportunity for the general public to learn about the proposed changes and provide input. Sixteen public hearings have been scheduled. If you cannot attend one of the public hearings, you may email your comments to farecomments@RTD-Denver.com or fax them to 303.299.2008. Comments will be summarized and reported to the RTD Board of Directors. All comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2008, to be included in the summary.

Sixteen public hearings have been scheduled from September 8 through September 18. [For a full list of locations please visit RTD-Denver.com. The South I-25 Urban Transportation Managment Association will be sending representatives to the public meetings held at:

RTD
1600 Blake Street
Denver CO 80202
at Noon and 6 PM on September 15, 2008.

If you would like to send us comments to present to RTD please email us with your comments no later than September 12, 2008.]

The public is invited to attend a public hearing on the proposed changes in RTD’s fare structure for 2009. If you cannot attend one of the public hearings, you may email your comments to farecomments@RTD-Denver.com or fax them to 303.299.2008. Comments will be summarized and reported to the RTD Board of Directors. All comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2008, to be included in the summary.


For route and schedule information, please call RTD’s Telephone Information Center at 303.299.6000. Call 303.299.6089 for the speech and hearing impaired. Visit RTD’s web site at www.RTD-Denver.com.