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Project Overview

RTD received feedback from customers that fares are expensive and difficult to understand. In response, RTD implemented a Systemwide Fare Study and Equity Analysis to reexamine the RTD fare system holistically, taking into consideration equity, affordability, and simplicity.

RTD is taking a customer-centric approach to this study, with opportunities for customers as well as stakeholders and the community members that we serve to help shape the direction of this study. RTD will explore and evaluate potential changes to the fare structure and pass programs throughout 2022, with consideration of study recommendations by the RTD Board of Directors planned for early 2023.

Study Goals

The goals of the study address three foundational aspects of the RTD fare system:

Equity

  • Support transit reliant/financially burdened customers
  • Provide equitable and fair access to fares, products, and discounts regardless of race, color, national origin, income status, and for other marginalized communities  

Affordability

  • Align fares with the value of the service received

Simplicity

  • Make fares easy to understand, with standardized discounts and streamlined fare payment options
     
These goals will direct the overall study, guide development and evaluation of alternatives and be used to determine success.

LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED

To date, RTD has engaged with thousands of customers and community members in the fare study and equity analysis. In the third phase of the study, RTD developed two distinct fare structure alternatives.

Through customer and community feedback, financial and operational modeling and a study on the impacts on minority and financially-burdened customers, the project team has developed a proposed draft fare structure that is under consideration by the RTD Board of Directors. Upon their approval, the draft recommendation will be available this spring for a formal public comment and hearing process.

More information about opportunities to get involved in the study’s final phase will be available in April 2023. Have questions? Email [email protected].

Learn More

PREVIOUS CUSTOMER AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

RTD has engaged with customers and community members through virtual meetings in English and Spanish, focus groups, and an online survey. See feedback from the first two phases of customer and community engagement below.

Previous Customer and Community Meetings

Previous Community Partner Focus Groups

Previous Community Surveys

Previous Community-Based Organization Survey

Engagement Milestones

ENGAGEMENT #1 – FEEDBACK ON CURRENT FARE STRUCTURE, SPRING 2022

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  • Identify challenges with current fare system
  • Receive input on fare structure preferences

ENGAGEMENT #2 - CONCEPTUAL OPTIONS, SUMMER 2022

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  • Educate community and stakeholders on tradeoffs considered when evaluating alternatives
  • Share conceptual options for initial feedback

ENGAGEMENT #3 - FARE ALTERNATIVES, FALL 2022

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  • Evaluate and identify trade-offs between alternatives

 

FORMAL PUBLIC COMMENT AND HEARING PROCESS ON RECOMMENDATION, EARLY 2023

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Feedback Panels

RTD is engaging stakeholder groups — those representing larger constituencies — through three Feedback Panels: Equity, Pass Program, and Jurisdiction. The Feedback Panels will use customer and community input to provide feedback to RTD on how RTD’s fare structure can meet the study’s goals (equity, affordability, and simplicity), fulfill customer and community needs, and balance trade-offs among all goals and needs. The three Feedback Panels will convene during each of the three engagement milestones. Access meeting materials

Three Feedback Panels

  • Equity Feedback Panel: Membership is balanced among different marginalized communities and organizations working with those communities: low-income, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), English Language Learners, immigrant populations, people with disabilities, youth, seniors, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ), and people experiencing houselessness. RTD has selected members for their expertise and insight on equity issues.

  • Pass Program Feedback Panel: Membership is balanced among different pass programs: employers, schools, universities/colleges, nonprofits, and neighborhood associations.
  • Jurisdiction Feedback Panel: Membership includes formal jurisdictions, including state, regional, city, town, and transportation management organizations/associations.

Effective Communications

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 [email protected]. Please provide three business day notice for services to be arranged.