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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
The price Metro students fork over for the tiny Regional Transportation District stickers on their identification cards is likely to go up in 2008. But before RTD does anything rash, the company wants to sit down and talk it over with its customers.
In a series of public hearings set to discuss proposed light rail and bus fare increases going into effect in January for cash tickets and Fall 2008 for college passes, RTD is seeking public comment that could affect the proposed fares.
College passes paid for through tuition fees would increase for the 2008-09 school year. Metro students currently pay $32 per semester for RTD service.
"We hear from people that they don't like having to pay more," said Scott Reed, a spokesman for RTD.
Increased fuel costs, decreased sales tax revenues and "steady increases in demand for (Americans with Disability Act) services" necessitate fare increases, Reed said. "Sales tax collections have come in below projections.
"Public input is important ... it's compiled and presented to the RTD board of directors before changes are made," he added.
"I don't think it's fair," said Metro freshman Christina Zamora. "In the long run, students bring in more business." Zamora said students using RTD service often bring paying riders with them on downtown outings, thus increasing ticket sales.
Some students view RTD's increased operating costs as a valid case for fare hikes.
"It's a legitimate cause" to provide more service for disabled riders, said Metro freshman Andrew Perez. "There's not many options they have."
While some fares are increasing by as little as 25 cents, RTD has not indicated how much college passes would cost.
"There would be a proportionate fare increase for the various types of passes," Reed said. The price the college pays for its passes is based upon the amount of service available at the campus. Not all colleges pay the same amount for passes; costs are determined based on the number of rides students are likely to take and the lengths of those trips.
"The higher the amount of service, the higher the base price," Reed said.
One-way light rail cash fares run from $1.50 for a local ride to $20 for a trip to Denver International Airport. Under the proposed increases, local tickets would shoot up to $1.75, and tickets to DIA would cost $22.
Though RTD could alternatively decrease the amount of its services to attenuate its operating costs, fare increases could offer a less dramatic impact on the public, Reed said.
"When we look at the possibility of making service cuts, that's the last thing anybody wants ... because those who rely on our service the most" are the most impacted, he said.
The series of 15 hearings began on Aug. 15 and runs through Aug. 28. The next meetings are at 6 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Holiday Inn Denver International Airport and the Littleton City Center. A meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 28 in the Tivoli in Baerresen Ballroom, Room 320.
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