As I explained in a previous message, the RTD Board has been considering a staff proposal to accelerate a planned increase in transit passenger fares.  The original assumption was that RTD would pursue a fare increase in 2009.  However, staff argues that rapidly rising expenses for such budget items as fuel, mandated disability services, and employee health insurance premiums, are undermining RTD’s ability to maintain existing service. 

With my focus on fiscal accountability, I have been giving the fare increase proposal a great deal of scrutiny.  Below are the responses RTD staff provided to a lengthy set of questions I submitted regarding this matter and the agency’s finances, generally.  Many of these questions address issues that Boulder County residents raised during the recent round of public hearings.  Please have a look at these questions and staff responses and tell me if there are any additional issues you believe it is necessary for me to raise with RTD staff.

I did participate in this evening’s unanimous Finance Committee vote in support of moving forward with the proposed fare increase.  At this point, in the face of RTD’s increased operations expenses and the solid case staff is making for its efforts to curb these costs, I am convinced the proposed fare hike is necessary to preserve our valued transit services.  I also am pleased that RTD staff responded to citizen concerns by proposing a slightly reduced increase for the Teen Pass and the fares for seniors and the disabled.

The proposed fare increase will still have a hearing before the full RTD Board on September 25.  So, if you have any additional considerations that you believe warrant a different approach and/or opposition to the fare increase proposal, please share them with me. 

Proposed Fare Increase: Citizen Questions and Concerns