RTD board passes Jan. rate hike

Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 26, 2007 at midnight

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The RTD board approved a January fare hike by a narrow margin after speeches by two members who said the transit agency hadn't done enough to trim unnecessary costs before hitting up its riders for more money.

But those same members later supported a failed move to spend an extra $200,000 per bus to purchase environmentally friendlier electric hybrid buses, saying it was the right thing to do.

The fare hike will add 25 cents to bus and light rail fares: an increase to $1.75 for local service, $3 for express rides and $4 for regional service. Fares have increased six times since 1997.

Juanita Chacon, a board member from Denver, said she heard from constituents opposed to the increase because they can't afford to keep paying more.

"We should make sure when we go to the public with these fare increases, that we've done as much as we can to cut other spending first," Chacon said. Board member Daryl Kinton of Englewood agreed. "I don't think we've done enough" to cut costs before seeking a fare hike.

Chacon and Kinton were on the losing side of a 9-2 vote approving the fare increase. Four members were absent and it takes eight yes votes to pass a measure.

RTD staff said it needs the higher fares now, instead of 2009 as previously planned, due to sharply rising costs.

The next item on the board's agenda was for purchase of 43 new buses. RTD had sought a federal grant to help buy diesel-electric hybrid buses, four of which are in its fleet now for testing. Those four have lower operating and maintenance costs, but not nearly enough to balance the $200,000 extra purchase price.

The grant was denied, so RTD staff recommended buying ultra-low sulfur diesel buses instead.

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