RTD will not offer free fare campaign this summer

DENVER (KDVR) — The Regional Transportation District’s “Zero Fare for Better Air” initiative will not return for the 2024 summer season.

For the past two years, RTD offered zero fares across its entire system during the peak ozone months of July and August. The initiative was made possible by funding from the state in collaboration with the Colorado Energy Office.

Colorado lawmakers originally approved the program to help build ridership. In 2022, the transit agency said some ridership growth carried into September even after fare collection resumed.

However, FOX31 confirmed the initiative will not return for a third year.

On May 17, Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 24-032, the “Methods to Increase the Use of Transit” bill.

The bill states that the “regional transportation district may apply for either an ozone season transit grant or a youth fare-free transit grant pursuant to the youth fare-free transit grant program created in the bill, but not both.”

Since there wasn’t grant money appropriated for both, RTD told FOX31 it would look toward continuing the fare-free program for young people.

Future of Zero Fare for Youth program

In September 2023, RTD announced that it would offer free fare for those 19 and younger, known as the “Zero Fare for Youth” initiative. Last year was the beginning of the pilot program, and it is slated to end in August.

RTD said that staff will recommend to the RTD Board of Directors to continue the Zero Fare for Youth program beyond the one-year pilot.

Even without the continuation of free rides in the summer, RTD said it has seen an increase in ridership.

RTD lowered fares for all services in January, and the agency said ridership has since been increasing month to month.

With the possible focus on continuing the Zero Fare for Youth program, RTD said it is a way to “attract and support the next generation of RTD customers and build future ridership.”