WHAT IS A

Youth fares are available for all individuals ages 6-19. Youth customers pay 30% of the regular fares (i.e., 70% discount). Children 5 and younger ride free with a fare-paying adult.

YOUTH FARE?

WHAT ARE THE FARE STRUCTURE ALTERNATIVES?

RTD has proposed two fare structure alternatives for consideration:

Alternative A lowers fares for customers overall while retaining Local, Regional and Airport fare levels.
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: the tables below show fares that are based on the current 70% discount provided to Youth customers. RTD is also considering additional changes to other policies and programs. See below for more information.

CURRENT FARE STRUCTURE (YOUTH)

ALTERNATIVE A (YOUTH)

ALTERNATIVE B (YOUTH)

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?

If you are a Youth customer, 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: the comparisons below show fares that are based on the current 70% discount provided to Youth customers. RTD is also considering additional changes to other policies and programs. See below for more information.

ALTERNATIVE A

ALTERNATIVE B

How would my fares change compared to discount fares in the current structure?

LOCAL

$0.05 less for a 3-Hour Pass

$0.10 less for a Day Pass

$7.00 less for a Monthly Pass

LOCAL

No change in price for a 3-Hour Pass

No change in price for Day Pass

$5.40 less for a Monthly Pass

REGIONAL

$0.10 less for a 3-Hour Pass

$0.20 less for a Day Pass

$12 less for a Monthly Pass

REGIONAL

$0.70 less for a 3-Hour Pass

$1.40 less for a Day Pass

$31.20 less for a Monthly Pass

AIRPORT

$0.20 less for a 3-Hour Pass

$0.20 less for a Day Pass

$12 less for a Monthly Pass

$0.20 less for a 3-Hour Pass

$0.20 less for a Day Pass

$31.20 less for a Monthly Pass

Benefits of Alternative A

Lowers fares for Youth customers across all service levels

Savings of:

6% on 3-Hour and Day Passes
4-19% on Regional trips
20% on Monthly Pass

Tradeoffs of Alternative A

No simplification of the fare structure

Regional and Airport trips with a Local Day or Monthly Pass require a fare upgrade
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, increasing mobility of youth

One Monthly Pass price covers travel anywhere in the system, including the airport

Savings of:

16% on the Local Monthly Pass
44-52% for 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, including youth. These potential enhancements to RTD’s discount fare programs include:

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
Introducing free fares for youth

For more information on the other discount program-related policies and programs under consideration, visit the Other Policies and Programs 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.