Region Transportation District saw an increase in ridership in August 2022 when it rolled out a free fare month throughout its service district. This year, RTD hopes to expand the service into July.
The Zero Fare for Better Air initiative began in August 2022 and was a statewide collaboration to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing the use of public transportation.
In 2022, The American Lung Association released its “State of Air” report that stated every county in the Denver region earned a failing grade in ozone pollution. And Boulder County reported the “highest number of unhealthy particle pollution days in the region,” according to the report.
On Wednesday, the RTD approved the expansion of the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative for the 2023 summer. From July 1 through August 31, everyone across RTD’s service district can ride RTD transportation for free.
The state will cover the low fare revenue for the two-month free ride program, estimated at around $2,200,000.
“RTD welcomes current, past, and new customers to take RTD at zero fare during July and August to experience the benefits of transit and help reduce the number of vehicles on the road during Colorado’s high ozone season,” said Tina Jaquez, public relations manager, in an emailed statement.
