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RTD riders prepare for Jan. 1 fare hikes
Get more money ready to ride the bus or light rail train, because the Regional Transportation District's new fare structure goes into effect Jan. 1.
The increase is the final step in a series of increases that began in July 2002.
By By:Tom Munds
Get more money ready to ride the bus or light rail train, because the Regional Transportation District's new fare structure goes into effect Jan. 1.
The increase is the final step in a series of increases that began in July 2002.
"Our board of directors passed the fare increases as a means to balance the budget, because operating costs continue to rise and our sales tax collections have been slow," said Scott Reed, RTD public affairs officer. "The money from the fare increases are for operating expenses so RTD can continue to provide mass transportation services to the residents of the district."
This series of increases marks the first time RTD raised fairs since 1997. Under the original plan, there were to be fare increases in March 2002 and on Jan. 1 of 2002, 2004 and 2005.
However, the timetable was altered earlier this year when RTD's board of directors approved a proposal to combine the increases scheduled for Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 1, 2005, into one increase that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2004.
The amount of the increases varies. For example, the one-way cash fare on local routes is going up from $1.15 to $1.25, while the one-way express fare will increase from $2.50 to $2.75.
The price of a 10-ticket book will jump from $9.25 to $11.25, and a 10-ride express ticket book will go from $20 to $25.
"I don't like the increases, but I guess it's a fact of life that the price of everything is going up. The RTD fares are going up, and there is nothing I can do about it," Littleton resident Paul Sawyer said as he waited for the light-rail train to downtown Denver. "I don't like it, but I either pay the higher fare or drive downtown. However, I'll stick with the light rail because it is cheaper and a whole lot less of a hassle than trying to drive downtown to work."
Two other riders on the Littleton Station platform agreed.
"I've worked in a lawyer's office downtown for nine years and used to hate to drive every day," Mary Buchanan said. "I love the convenience of light rail, and I don't like paying more, but it is still worth it and a whole lot better than fighting the traffic down and back every day."
"I feel the same as Mary," Tracie McCallister said. "We work in the same office, and I'll gladly pay the fare increase because riding light rail beats ... driving into downtown Denver."
But at the Englewood station, 68-year-old Marsha Fernandez said the fare increase will mean she'll go downtown less.
"I have been going into the downtown area a couple times a week, sometimes to meet friends for lunch and sometimes just to visit the stores and maybe pick up a few things," she said. "But I'm a widow and I'm on a fixed income, so while the fare increase doesn't look like a lot of money, it is to me when I have to count every nickel and dime just to make ends meet."
By By:Tom Munds
Get more money ready to ride the bus or light rail train, because the Regional Transportation District's new fare structure goes into effect Jan. 1.
The increase is the final step in a series of increases that began in July 2002.
"Our board of directors passed the fare increases as a means to balance the budget, because operating costs continue to rise and our sales tax collections have been slow," said Scott Reed, RTD public affairs officer. "The money from the fare increases are for operating expenses so RTD can continue to provide mass transportation services to the residents of the district."
This series of increases marks the first time RTD raised fairs since 1997. Under the original plan, there were to be fare increases in March 2002 and on Jan. 1 of 2002, 2004 and 2005.
However, the timetable was altered earlier this year when RTD's board of directors approved a proposal to combine the increases scheduled for Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 1, 2005, into one increase that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2004.
The amount of the increases varies. For example, the one-way cash fare on local routes is going up from $1.15 to $1.25, while the one-way express fare will increase from $2.50 to $2.75.
The price of a 10-ticket book will jump from $9.25 to $11.25, and a 10-ride express ticket book will go from $20 to $25.
"I don't like the increases, but I guess it's a fact of life that the price of everything is going up. The RTD fares are going up, and there is nothing I can do about it," Littleton resident Paul Sawyer said as he waited for the light-rail train to downtown Denver. "I don't like it, but I either pay the higher fare or drive downtown. However, I'll stick with the light rail because it is cheaper and a whole lot less of a hassle than trying to drive downtown to work."
Two other riders on the Littleton Station platform agreed.
"I've worked in a lawyer's office downtown for nine years and used to hate to drive every day," Mary Buchanan said. "I love the convenience of light rail, and I don't like paying more, but it is still worth it and a whole lot better than fighting the traffic down and back every day."
"I feel the same as Mary," Tracie McCallister said. "We work in the same office, and I'll gladly pay the fare increase because riding light rail beats ... driving into downtown Denver."
But at the Englewood station, 68-year-old Marsha Fernandez said the fare increase will mean she'll go downtown less.
"I have been going into the downtown area a couple times a week, sometimes to meet friends for lunch and sometimes just to visit the stores and maybe pick up a few things," she said. "But I'm a widow and I'm on a fixed income, so while the fare increase doesn't look like a lot of money, it is to me when I have to count every nickel and dime just to make ends meet."
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