RTD staff is proposing a roughly 12 percent increase, across the board, for all transit fares.  For example, standard cash fares are expected to rise 25 cents, monthly passes would rise $9.00 for express service, and all unlimited access passes (i.e. the Neighborhood Eco Passes and regular Eco Passes) would rise 12 percent.

RTD staff argues that the fare increases are warranted due to rising expenses.  We all know that fuel rates are increasing, but staff points to the additional financial burden it is assuming for such things as a steep rise in federally mandated Access-A-Ride service (which rose 9 percent this year, alone) and higher employee health insurance costs.  Couple this with lower then budgetted sales and use tax revenues, and RTD staff explains that its operations are in a financial pinch.

All these arguments for a fare increase seem plausable.  However, at an August 20 Public Hearing in Boulder regarding the staff proposal, concerned citizens raised some important issues.  Specifically, it was noted that such high increases for unlimted access passes, coming at the end of the year, will be hard for many businesses and neighborhoods to swallow.   To address this concern, some have argued for a graduated increase of about 6 percent for unlimted access passes, rising to the full 12 percent in 2009. 

Aside from the timing concerns, other issues folks have raised include a question regarding the need for additional increases so soon after raising fares last year to cover fuel increases, the suggestion to institute a discount rate for low income transit riders, and objection to the higher (2o percent) increase in the Teen Pass rate.   I have asked RTD staff to address all of these issues prior to an RTD Board vote on the fare increase.  I also will scrutinize RTD’s budget to identify possible opportunities for RTD to reduce its operating costs, thereby forgoing the need for additional farebox revenue.

Ultimately, I do want to make sure that RTD has the resources it needs to opperate the best possible transit system.  The concern is that, absent a fare increase, rising costs and low sales and use tax revenue might force RTD to make difficult service cuts.   As a Board member, I will weigh this concerns against the competing need to ensure that RTD operates in an efficient and cost effective manner.  Further, I will seek ways to mitigate the impact of any proposed fare increase on RTD patrons. 

The final fare increase decision is slated for next month, so please pass along any additional questions and/or concerns you have regarding the proposed fare increase.

Proposed Fare Increase: Staff Memorandum

Proposed Fare Increase: Proposed Fare Schedule