Print
E-mail
Comment
Transit, toll road fees increased
By Tom Munds
The new year means it costs transit riders and E-470 users more to get from here to there.
The Regional Transportation District raised one-way cash fares for bus and light rail passengers from $1.75 to $2. At the same time, the E-470 authority raised fees for the 47-mile toll road.
Centennial resident Carl Pollock said he got hit in the wallet by both increases because he uses light rail to get to and from his downtown office and uses E-470 for frequent trips to and from home to the airport.
“I don’t like it but, I guess it’s just the cost of doing business,” he said with a scowl.
RTD began studying the fare increases late last year when the cost of fuel skyrocketed.
During the discussion, diesel fuel was more than $4.50 a gallon, almost double the price near the start of 2008.
While fuel prices have dropped dramatically, Daria Serna said the additional money created by the fare increase is needed to balance the budget in light of a dramatic drop in sales tax revenues in the current economic climate.
It didn’t help that RTD tried to help itself when fuel prices were climbing and signed an agreement to buy diesel fuel for $3.09. But, with the fall in fuel prices, the district probably could get diesel fuel for about $2 a gallon at the present time.
The new year also brought two major changes on the E-470 toll road.
The new standard toll at mainline plazas will increase by 50 cents, and at ramp plazas by 25 cents.
In addition, the authority has begun using technology to collect tolls.
Called open-road tolling, drivers no longer have to stop at toll booths. Instead, cameras will record the license-plate number and the driver will be billed for the toll.
Toll booths will continue to be staffed for about six months but, starting July 4, the booths will be removed and registered owners of all vehicles using E-470 will be billed for tolls.
The Regional Transportation District raised one-way cash fares for bus and light rail passengers from $1.75 to $2. At the same time, the E-470 authority raised fees for the 47-mile toll road.
Centennial resident Carl Pollock said he got hit in the wallet by both increases because he uses light rail to get to and from his downtown office and uses E-470 for frequent trips to and from home to the airport.
“I don’t like it but, I guess it’s just the cost of doing business,” he said with a scowl.
RTD began studying the fare increases late last year when the cost of fuel skyrocketed.
During the discussion, diesel fuel was more than $4.50 a gallon, almost double the price near the start of 2008.
While fuel prices have dropped dramatically, Daria Serna said the additional money created by the fare increase is needed to balance the budget in light of a dramatic drop in sales tax revenues in the current economic climate.
It didn’t help that RTD tried to help itself when fuel prices were climbing and signed an agreement to buy diesel fuel for $3.09. But, with the fall in fuel prices, the district probably could get diesel fuel for about $2 a gallon at the present time.
The new year also brought two major changes on the E-470 toll road.
The new standard toll at mainline plazas will increase by 50 cents, and at ramp plazas by 25 cents.
In addition, the authority has begun using technology to collect tolls.
Called open-road tolling, drivers no longer have to stop at toll booths. Instead, cameras will record the license-plate number and the driver will be billed for the toll.
Toll booths will continue to be staffed for about six months but, starting July 4, the booths will be removed and registered owners of all vehicles using E-470 will be billed for tolls.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. |
