Bus fares may be going up

Wheat Ridge city council discussed proposed Regional Transportation District fare increases at the March 23 council meeting. The fees are being increased to reduce the amount of subsidy paid per rider.

The basic premise of the change is that RTD is recommending local fares increase from $ 2.25 to $ 2.60, express fares from $ 4.00 to $ 4.50 and regional routes from $ 5.00 to $ 5.50. RTD will add vending machines on buses so patrons can purchase day pass. Day Passes will be double the normal fare and includes unlimited rides. For instance, a day pass for local service would be $ 5.20, for express it would be $ 9.00 and $ 11.00 for regional day passes.

RTD is also looking to do away with transfers. Riders can either choose to pay for each bus they board or purchase a pass that covers all their rides for the day.

RTD’s District M director Natalie Menten presented to city council. RTD services 2.62 million people compared to Baltimore’s 2.2 million, Boston’s 4.18, Dallas’ 2.42 million and New Jersey’s 18.35 million. The Denver area is difficult to compare to other cities, Menten said, because the area is so sprawling. The metro area lacks much of the population density of other major cities.

Menten mentioned that RTD 2015 revenue budget is at approximately $ 534 million while the expenditure budget of $ 937 million, meaning that rides are being heavily subsidized. According to a report, the 38th bus line averages roughly 29 riders an hour and $ 4.32 is subsidized per rider. The number is even high for the 32nd Avenue route in which $ 5.77 is subsidized approximately 25 riders per hour.