Monday, November 24, 2008

TRIP TO WORK: New TRIP rates

The South I-25 Urban Corridor Transportation Management Association has decided to offer the Transit Rider Incentive Program (TRIP) in 2009. TRIP 2009 has slight modifications from TRIP 2008. The main change will be a reduction in the subsidy offered from 50% in 2008 to 35% in 2009.

On January 1, 2009, RTD is raising fares. Due to this increase and the high demand for TRIP passes, the TRIP program will reduce its rate on regular monthly transit passes from a 50% subsidy to a 35% subsidy. Transit passes include access to RTD light rail, bus, and call-n-Ride services. The fare for a local monthly pass through RTD will be $70; TRIP will offer the local passes for $45.50. The fare for an express monthly pass through RTD will be $128; TRIP will offer express passes for $83.20. Finally, the fare for a regional monthly pass through RTD will be $164; TRIP will offer regional passes for $106.60.

TRIP is the result of the South I-25 Urban Corridor Transportation Management Association’s efforts. This group is a coalition of local governments including the City of Lone Tree, City of Greenwood Village, City of Centennial, Arapahoe County, Douglas County, the Southeast Public Improvement Metropolitan District (SPIMD), and the business community represented by the Southeast Business Partnership (SEBP). TRIP passes are available to eligible employees working in the South I-25 Urban Corridor.

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

Trip to work was an excellant program. Unfortunately with the increase fare and lower subsidy, it is no longer beneficial for me to ride the bus to work. Taking the bus adds 30 minutes each way to my daily commute. When gas was nearing $4.00 a gallon, the additional time wasn't as much a factor. With gas down to $1.62, and the cost of a bus pass is $45.50, it is no longer worth the additional hour public transportation takes away from my day. I would think a better solution would be to split the fare increase 50/50 and the trip to work pass go up to $35, however the $10 fare increase plus another $5.50 is being passed onto the commuter. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.