After a prolonged campaign to implement a RTD Youth Pass and Low-Income Pass, the RTD Board voted 10-5, in September, to adopt many of the Pass Program Working Group’s recommendations. The new fares will take place in January 2019. While not all of the Pass Program Working Group’s recommendations to RTD were approved, partners that organized for RTD Transit Equity agree that this is a step in the right direction for affordable and equitable transit.
RTD will introduce a low-income fare program that provides a 40% discount to households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. We want to acknowledge our partner organizations in this effort: Donnell-Kay Foundation, Mile High Connects, Stand for Children, 9to5 Colorado, Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism (YAASPA) and the Rocky Mountain Bus Riders Union.
Here are the Youth Pass recommendations proposed by the Pass Program Working Group and what was approved by the RTD Board:
The new RTD Youth and Low-Income discounts are one step toward establishing transit equity in our state. We will continue to push for more affordable transit for all by organizing for a full youth pass where youth, ages 12-19, can ride for free.