Date: 11/02/2015
Final
Discussion of Low-income Transit Fares
TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
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09:02 AM -- Discussion of Low-income Transit Fares
Representative Tyler welcomed the committee and explained that the committee is allowed to sponsor five bills, but has seven bill drafts. As such, the committee will need to pare it down prior to adjourning. He explained his suggestion for the process for doing so. He also spoke about the afternoon agenda of the Joint Transportation Committee.
09:04 AM
Bill Van Meter and Lacy Bell, representing RTD, came to the table to discuss fares for low-income riders and provided two handouts (Attachments A and B). Mr. Van Meter talked about a 2016 fare study, the goals of which were:
15Trans1102AttachA.pdf 
15Trans1102AttachB.pdf
- simplicity;
- acceptability/marketability;
- affordability;
- achievement of RTD revenue goals to avoid service reductions; and
- integration of 2016 transit line openings.
He explained the new 2016 fare policies, including day passes, stored value cards, reduced fares for seniors, persons with disabilities, Medicare recipients, and students ages 6 through 19. He spoke about the feedback RTD received from the low-income community, which was incorporated into the new fare policy. He responded to questions from the committee about the period a day pass covers.
09:15 AM
Mr. Van Meter turned to a discussion of RTD's nonprofit agency reduced fare program. The program began over 25 years ago and works with nonprofit and government agencies to provide discount fares to low-income individuals. Nonprofit and government agencies are responsible for confirming income eligibility. Mr. Van Meter commented that the 2016 fare policy attempts to simplify administration of the program. He summarized his presentation and indicated that RTD is constantly working together with the low-income community to determine the financial feasibility of implementing a broader-based low-income fare program.
09:21 AM
Committee discussion ensued regarding how many more people would use the transit system if fares were lower. Mr. Van Meter and Ms. Bell spoke about the elasticity built into the model used for the 2016 fare study. Representative Winter asked for more information about the nonprofit program.
09:30 AM
Dace West, representing Mile High Connects, joined the committee to speak about the affordability of transit in the metro Denver area. She discussed the public hearings Mile High Connects facilitated beginning in 2014, which led to a plan for an income-based fare system. She spoke about how things will proceed in 2016, including the possibility of a collaboration with various philanthropic organizations to subsidize the low-income program.
09:38 AM
Ms. Bell, Ms. West, and Mr. Van Meter responded to questions from the committee about the variety of sources from which RTD receives revenue; low-income transit programs in other cities; and the possible mechanism for facilitating the receipt of gifts, grants, and donations by RTD. Ms. West discussed the fundraising efforts currently underway by Mile High Connects.