All aboard! RTD is making July and August of 2023 “fare for all” (rides are totally FREE), whether you’re a regular passenger or occasional rider on public transit. Everyone knows by now that carpooling, biking or using public transit is an important strategy in keeping our planet healthy. And RTD is doing their part by making their important community service easier and cheaper for two months.
During all of July and August, RTD is offering zero fares across its entire system for all passengers. This is an expansion of last year’s pilot program in July, as was so successful in increasing overall ridership that RTD expanded the freebie to two summer months.
For riders, it’s the perfect opportunity to hop on a bus or light rail and explore the city without having to worry about gas or parking. It’s also a fun way to experience the city with out-of-town summer visitors.
If things go well, in September RTD may try a one year test of free fares for younger riders (19 and younger) that operates year-round.
The major benefits of using public transportation include the following:
Save Money — Taking the bus and train saves on car expenses, including maintenance, parking and tolls. A household can save nearly $10,000 by taking public transportation and living with one less car.
Improve Air Quality — Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. Using public transit creates 84% less carbon emissions than driving a car.
Reduce Stress — Taking public transit eliminates the stress and anxiety of battling everyday traffic. Leave the driving to RTD’s trained and reliable staff.
Save Time — While you’re taking public transit, catch up on reading, emails, podcasts or just sit back and relax.
Reduce Traffic — Taking public transit removes vehicles from roadways, limiting traffic congestion, air pollution, and ground-level ozone.
Save Gas — With gas hovering around $4 per gallon, switching to public transit frees up additional funds in your everyday budget. In addition, public transportation saves an estimated 6 billion gallons of gas each year.
Is this program just for RTD in the Denver metro area? Are any regional transit services or bus services in other cities (for example, Colorado Springs) participating in the free fare months?
Richard — This is just for the area that RTD covers. Colorado Springs is not part of the Rapid Transportation District. Check their website for maps and rail lines. — LD
Does this include the train to the Airport too? Katy
Katy – As best as we can determine the zero fare includes all routes across the system which include the Airport Train. – LD
Yes, the A-line was free last August, along with various express buses to and from DIA.
Yes, there are other participating municipalities & they are listed here: https://zerofarecolorado.com/ or https://coloradotransit.com/resources/zero-fare-program/