Proposed RTD fare increases to get public hearing

Starting next week, the Regional Transportation District will host eight open houses throughout the metro area to present potential changes to bus and train-line fares that would take effect in 2019.

The meetings will start with a get-together in Boulder on Monday evening and wrap up with an open house in Thornton on July 26. There will also be meetings in Englewood (July 18), Lakewood (July 19), Montbello (July 21), Aurora (July 23), South Denver (July 24), and downtown Denver (July 25).

The agency is looking at a range of potential fare changes and is also considering an option that keeps fares where they are. The most substantial options being studied would increase local one-way fares from $2.60 to $3; regional oneway fares from $4.50 to $5.25; and a University of Colorado A-Line trip to the airport from $9 to $10.50.

RTD officials will also present options that were hammered out by a pass program working group earlier this year, including the launch of a lowincome fare program and a 70 percent fare discount for youths, which would largely help students who rely on buses to get to and from school.

The RTD board of directors is expected to cast a final vote on any changes in September. Fare changes are made by RTD every three years.

RTD’s budget this year is $1.3 billion, of which $144 million is spent on buses and $126.5 million is spent on rail.