Honoring Rosa Parks: Transit Equity Day at RTD

Transit Equity Day is observed each year on February 4, the birthday of Rosa Parks. On this day, RTD honors Parks’ legacy and the ongoing fight for fairness and access in public transportation.

In honor of Transit Equity Day, customers will see commemorative signage on select seats in each RTD bus in honor of Rosa Parks. RTD will also offer zero fares on all RTD services on February 4, allowing all customers to ride at no cost.

Rosa Parks’ Legacy and the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama. She is widely recognized as a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement.

On December 1, 1955, Parks — a Black woman — refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, as required by Montgomery’s segregation laws. She was arrested. Her arrest for this simple but powerful act sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a peaceful protest that lasted 381 days.

The boycott was led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other community leaders. It was one of the first mass movements to challenge racial segregation and brought national attention to the inequalities and discrimination facing Black Americans in public spaces. In 1956, the success of the boycott eventually led to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Browder v. Gayle that bus segregation was unconstitutional.

Rosa Parks’ actions made her a lasting symbol of courage and resistance. She received many honors during her lifetime, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996.

However, her legacy goes beyond a single moment. Parks spent her life advocating for justice, dignity, and opportunity — especially for communities that have been historically excluded.

Honoring Rosa Parks Onboard RTD Buses

On Transit Equity Day, customers will see commemorative signage on a seat aboard each RTD bus, honoring Rosa Parks and her courageous act that changed public transit in the United States.

The seat is symbolically marked in her honor. It is not enforced, and all customers are welcome to use it.

This tribute is intended to encourage reflection on how public transportation has played — and continues to play — a role in advancing civil rights. 

Zero Fare for Transit Equity Day (February 4)

On December 3, 2024, the RTD Board of Directors approved Zero Fare for Transit Equity Day as a permanent annual initiative. Every February 4, customers can use all RTD services at no cost for the entire day. This includes all RTD bus and rail routes as well as Access-a-Ride, Access-on-Demand, and FlexRide services.

Zero Fare removes cost as a barrier to transit and reinforces the idea that public transportation should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income or background. Making this initiative permanent honors Rosa Parks’ legacy while committing to ongoing equity in transit access.

The National Transit Equity Day Movement

Transit Equity Day was first recognized at the federal level in 2021 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The day highlights the connection between civil rights and access to public transportation.

Public transit helps people reach jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential services. Transit Equity Day reminds us that transportation access is a civil rights issue and remains critical for many communities today.

More and more transit agencies nationwide (such as LA Metro and Laketran) participate in Transit Equity Day initiatives every year, reflecting growing national recognition of transit’s role in equity and inclusion.

Reflecting and Moving Forward

RTD invites the community to reflect on Rosa Parks’ legacy and the work that continues today. Consequently, Transit Equity Day is both a celebration and a reminder.

While progress has been made, many people still face barriers to reliable and affordable transportation. RTD remains committed to advancing equity so that everyone — regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or income — can access public transit safely and with dignity.