Access-on-Demand program modifications take effect Jan. 1
Modifications to the supplemental, premium service were approved in 2025 for program sustainability; Colorado court ruled on Dec. 29 in RTD’s favor in federal lawsuit challenging the modifications
DENVER (Dec. 30, 2025) –– The Regional Transportation District’s Access-on-Demand program modifications take effect on Thursday, Jan. 1. The agency’s Board of Directors approved modifications to the program on Sept. 30 after the agency commissioned a peer review with support from the American Public Transportation Association; an extensive, months-long evaluation that included 16 public meetings between March 2024 and September 2025, which garnered community and customer feedback; and, a transit industry analysis of similar on-demand programs at more than 20 transit agencies.
Access-on-Demand is a supplemental, premium, curb-to-curb service for registered, eligible paratransit customers. The service provides on-demand trips for customers with disabilities through a combination of contracted rideshare and taxi services.
Modifications to Access-on-Demand taking effect Jan. 1:
- Upfront $4.50 base fare per trip/$2.25 for LiVE discount program eligible customers
- RTD trip subsidy reduced from $25 to $20
- Service hours align with fixed route bus, rail and Access-a-Ride hours, with no service provided between 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. to allow for vehicle maintenance
- Up to two stops allowed per trip
- No waiting period to begin using Access-on-Demand once certified as paratransit eligible
What stays the same:
- 60 trips per month cap
- Trips must begin and end within the RTD service boundary
While a federal lawsuit was filed on Dec. 7 seeking to stop the modifications to the agency’s Access-on-Demand service, on Dec. 29, the U.S. District Court for Colorado ruled in RTD’s favor and denied the motion for preliminary injunction. “I am pleased that the Court agreed that the program modifications do not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or disparately impact customers with disabilities,” said General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “As a steward of public funds, RTD remains committed to making fiscally responsible decisions that optimize service availability and the customer experience for all who utilize its bus, rail, and paratransit services.”
More information about the upcoming changes is available on the agency’s Access-on-Demand page, including FAQs.