Starting on Jan. 1, the Regional Transportation District will reduce fares for the first time in the agency's history. RTD is also switching from multi-fare zoning to a standard fare and an airport fare.
Fares will go down nearly across the board, including the price for daily passes that don't include the airport as a destination. Those will decrease from $6.00 to $5.50, while monthly passes that do include an airport fare will go from $200 to $88.
The only fare that won't change is the airport day pass, which will remain $10. RTD said the change was the result of a fare study and equity analysis.
RTD has played with its fares in an effort to increase ridership.
During the second summer of RTD's Zero Fare for Better Air initiative, overall ridership grew by 10%. The program began in 2022 with free rides in August, and expanded in 2023 to include July and August.
A report on the initiative also indicated a decrease in the number of miles driven by Coloradans during the free fare period, a drop of 6.1 million pounds of greenhouse gasses and more than 2,000 pounds each of nitrous oxide and volatile organic compounds, both of which contribute to local ozone pollution.
RTD is still running its Zero Fare for Youth program, which started in September. The program allows those 19 and younger to ride for free through August 2024.
Also come January, RTD will adjust its schedule.
The agency said in a press release that it "adjusts its schedule three times a year to address ridership changes, traffic patterns, economic factors and customer feedback that affect its system."
Several lines will be affected by the change including the D, E, H, L, R, and W light rail lines, and the 6, 10, 15, 15L, 38, 51, 52, 65, 133, 204, 324, and 327 bus routes.
Besides the long-term changes, RTD is offering free rides on New Year's Eve starting at 7 p.m., ending at 7 a.m. on Jan. 1. The promotion is through a partnership with Molson Coors to encourage safe celebrating on the holiday.
Also on New Year's Eve, the D, H and L light rail lines won't operate during two New Year's Eve fireworks shows in downtown Denver.
Check RTD's website for future changes.
