The new year means it costs more to ride buses or light rail,
and service changes become effective, which could lead to a longer
wait time on some bus and light rail routes.
Citing the need to help address a predicted $12 million budget
deficit next year, the Regional Transportation District Board of
Directors raised all fares an average of 12 percent starting Jan.
1. The board also approved service changes effective Jan. 9 aimed
at reducing operating costs.
The across-the-board fare hikes range between 11 percent and 14
percent and apply to cash fares as well as transit passes. For
example, the local one-way cash fare increases from $2 to $2.25.
The higher fares are expected to raise about $8 million during the
year.
At the same time, the service cuts enacted are expected to
reduce operating costs by about $2.4 million in 2011.
Soon after the board approved the two proposals in October,
Director Kent Bagley, whose district includes Centennial and parts
of Highlands Ranch, said the approvals were preceded by a lot of
study and work by board members.
“No one was excited about raising fares. But that seemed like
what was necessary in the light of the fact we have to eliminate
the $12 million budget deficit we expect to face next year,” he
said.
Bagley said the directors listened to comments from the public
hearings and found that most people who attended said they would
rather see higher fares than service cuts.
He said lengthy board discussions about service cuts resulted in
agreement that it was better to reduce the frequency on some routes
rather than eliminating any service completely.
Samuel Rosenberg said he spoke against the fare increases at the
public hearings.
“I listened to their presentation but understanding why they
raised the fares doesn’t make it any easier for me,” the Centennial
man said as he waited for the train at the Littleton station.
“Since I don’t drive, I have to depend on the bus and the train to
get back and forth to work so I have little choice but to pay the
increased costs even though I don’t like it one bit.”
