WHAT IS A
Discount fares are available for all seniors ages 65 and older, individuals with disabilities, Medicare recipients and income-eligible (LiVE) customers. Seniors, individuals with disabilities and Medicare recipients pay 50% of the regular fares. Currently, LiVE customers pay 60% of the regular fares (i.e., receive a 40% discount).
To learn more about fare structure impacts on customers ages 6-19, visit the Youth fare page.
DISCOUNT FARE?
WHAT ARE THE FARE STRUCTURE ALTERNATIVES?
RTD has proposed two fare structure alternatives for consideration:
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Alternative A lowers fares for customers overall while retaining Local, Regional and Airport fare levels.
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Alternative B simplifies the fare structure by combining Local and Regional fares while maintaining an Airport fare.
RTD will be using customer and community feedback to refine these alternatives and form a final recommendation for public comment in early 2023.
Note: Currently, RTD is recommending an increase in the LiVE program discount to 50% (from the current rate of 40%). The fare tables for Alternative A and B below reflect this change.
CURRENT DISCOUNT FARE STRUCTURE (AGE 65+ &/OR DISABILITIES)
ALTERNATIVE A
(SENIOR / DISABLED / LiVE)
CURRENT DISCOUNT FARE STRUCTURE (LiVE)
ALTERNATIVE B
(SENIOR / DISABLED / LiVE)
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?
If you are an RTD customer who participates in a discounted fare program, each of the proposed fare structure alternatives would have an impact on how much you pay for service — and each would have unique benefits and tradeoffs.
Note: Currently, RTD is recommending an increase in the LiVE program discount to 50% (from the current rate of 40%). The fare tables above for Alternative A and B reflect this change. The price changes outlined under each alternative in the table below reflect the price change for seniors and individuals with disabilities. LiVE program customers would receive an additional 10% discount. See below for more information on additional changes to other policies and programs.
ALTERNATIVE A
ALTERNATIVE B
How would my fares change compared to discount fares in the current structure?
How would my fares change compared to discount fares in the current structure?
LOCAL
$0.15 less for a 3-Hour Pass
$0.30 less for a Day Pass
$13.80 less for a Monthly Pass
LOCAL
No change in price for a 3-Hour Pass
No change in price for Day Pass
$9 less for a Monthly Pass
REGIONAL
$0.10 less for a 3-Hour Pass
$0.25 less for a Day Pass
$19 less for a Monthly Pass
REGIONAL
$1.10 less for a 3-Hour Pass
$2.25 less for a Day Pass
$51 less for a Monthly Pass
AIRPORT
AIRPORT
$0.25 less for a 3-Hour Pass
$0.25 less for a Day Pass
$19 less for a Monthly Pass
$0.25 less for a 3-Hour Pass
$0.25 less for a Day Pass
$51 less for a Monthly Pass
Benefits of Alternative A
Lowers fares for discount fare customers overall
Seniors and individuals with disabilities save:
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10-24% on Local trips
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4-19% on Regional trips
LiVE customers save:
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25-37% on Local trips
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21-33% on Regional trips
Tradeoffs of Alternative A
No simplification of the fare structure
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Regional and Airport trips with a Local Day or Monthly Pass require a fare upgrade
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Customers must still select and understand the difference between Local and Regional destinations
Benefits of Alternative B
One fare grants access to Local and Regional destinations
One Monthly Pass price covers travel anywhere in the system, including the airport
Seniors and individuals with disabilities save:
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0-16% on Local trips
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42-52% on Regional trips
LiVE customers save:
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17-30% on Local trips
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52-60% on Regional trips
Tradeoffs of Alternative B
No benefit for Local 3-Hour and Day Pass customers, who are the majority of RTD’s ridership
OTHER POLICIES AND PROGRAMS UNDER CONSIDERATION
In addition to changes to the overall fare structure, RTD is considering changes to other policies and programs to support equity, affordability and simplicity, particularly for transit-reliant and financially burdened customers. These potential enhancements to RTD’s discount fare programs include:
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Increasing the discount from 50% to 70% on the discounted Monthly Pass
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Offering a single discounted fare regardless of the distance traveled or services used, similar to Alternative B but for discount fare and youth customers only
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Improving access to the LiVE program by expanding who is eligible for the program
For more information on the other discount program-related policies and programs under consideration, visit the Other Policies and Programs page.
Learn more about the impacts on Access-A-Ride services on our FAQs page.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
RTD will take steps to ensure that communication with members of the public with disabilities is effective throughout the study. Persons who require materials in alternative formats, need sign language interpretation, or require other communication consideration for participation, please contact RTD’s ADA Manager at Gabe.Christie@rtd-denver.com. Please provide three business days notice for services to be arranged.
