RTD to begin charging for parking at Park-n-Ride lots

By Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 19, 2008 at 10:48 p.m.
Updated August 20, 2008 at 10:42 a.m.

Text size

Ken Papaleo © The Rocky

Cars parked by commuters at the Park-n-Ride lot at I-25 and Broadway.

Pay to park-n-Ride

RTD's new pay-to-park program imposes daily parking fees to commuters who live outside boundaries of the district and smaller fees to district residents who leave vehicles for more than a day. It will be phased in starting in February

HERE ARE THE NUMBERS:

$4 Non-resident daily parking in one of 16 high-demand lots.

$2 Non-resident daily parking in one of 24 low-demand lots.

$2 Daily fee to residents who park more than 24 hours at a time, starting with the second day.

$40 Monthly fee for residents to reserve a parking spot until 10 a.m. in one of the 16 high-demand lots. After 10 a.m., any unused spots will be available to the general public.

$450,000 New annual revenue RTD expects from the program.

Source: RTD

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Comments

August 20, 2008

1 a.m.

Suggest removal

Patron_Drinker writes:

RTD is a government entity. After the FasTracks debacle, it should be forced to bring any fare or fee increase to the voters so that it can be held to account for its finances and (lack of) service.
August 20, 2008

1:17 a.m.

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angryman1n writes:

800%???? WTF? That ain't just fuel costs.
August 20, 2008

3:16 a.m.

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Domino writes:

To Patron Drinker and angryman1n, you voted against FasTracks. You lost. No matter what, the campaign is over. Cut it out. The vote is final.
August 20, 2008

5 a.m.

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windbourne writes:

Interesting. This could backfire in an odd sort of way. Park meadows mall is having a walkway installed. They are counting on having ppl from other sections of the system visit in addition, to having the parkers buy from them. They are right. But this charging at arapahoe, lincoln, and even santa fe may drive more over to the park meadows. $3 vs. less than .50, will drive ppl to go there. This fee will make things worse in the denver basin, and will piss off riders because the PM will get crowded. PM will love it, because they will probably see a 5-10% increase in sales. Aspen grove will most likely see a 10-20% drop in sales. Before doing this, if I were RTD, I would talk to Aspen. I would think that they might want to come to some sort of a deal which would not have you charging.
August 20, 2008

5:02 a.m.

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happymike44 writes:

What you do is have someone drop you off.
Then pick you up later.
Whatever cost of gas doing this will be offset by the cost of not paying the parking fee.
This also will keep your car from being left at the mercy of the general public.
August 20, 2008

6:03 a.m.

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glowrock writes:

All of you guys do realize that the parking fees are ONLY for those who don't live in the RTD district, or who will leave their cars for more than 24 hours, correct? 90%+ of all people using the park and rides will never, ever be charged a penny to park!
August 20, 2008

6:13 a.m.

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wilca66 writes:

I doubt people like Patron Drinker will ever understand that the golden age of fossil fuels is coming to an end. The petroleum industry has been subsidized by the government for decades, and Patron Drinker and his friends think it should continue forever. The sooner we can all buy plug-in electric cars, the sooner we can stop sending our young people to die in foreign lands in order to protect our daily drive. That really is what it boils down to. I believe future generations will judge us harshly on this.
August 20, 2008

6:36 a.m.

Suggest removal

ChipLa writes:

How will they determine if a particular car belongs to somebody from within the district? Will people have to display a parking pass on their car? How are those passes obtained? How many passes may any single household get? What if you give your pass to somebody from outside the district. Perhaps they have thought through all of the issues and problems associated with this program and just didn't include those in the article. I believe that there will be significant cost to implement and enforce this new policy. If 90%+ are never charged a penny, this will likely prove to be a money-losing program.
August 20, 2008

7:09 a.m.

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VVVV writes:

I think in the future we will fight the wind. We're practically doing that now anyway. And to answer how they will know, I expect they will run license plates all day, handing out bills to those who don't have a car registered in the district. Either that or they will ask to see your papers before allowing you entry to the public paid system. What I don't like is the $40 reserved parking. First come first serve is a basic rule of social etiquette. Letting the rich cut in line is fundamentally wrong, whether at the airport security check or a measely parking garage.
August 20, 2008

7:10 a.m.

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HolierThanThou writes:

RTD isn't going to make any money on this. The contractor is going to make all the money while maximizing inconvenience and being a nuisance for out-of-district users. So, the point is to punish RTD users who are not annexed and don't have a vote.
August 20, 2008

7:51 a.m.

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eCurmudgeon writes:

The idea here is to fully leverage mass transit, and leave your car at home:

1. Walk from home to the nearest bus stop (if you live within walking distance of a light-rail station, so much the better).
2. Take the bus to the nearest light-rail station.
3. Take light rail.

What's so hard about that?
August 20, 2008

7:58 a.m.

Suggest removal

Bob299 writes:

I think it is great. The fee system penalizes people who live outside of the district that utilize the RTD system like those in Castle Rock who voted to be excluded from the district (we subsidize them) and rewards those who do not live in Exurbia.

I've never left my car in an RTD lot for over 24 hours, and as a resident, I won't even have to pay the $2 fee. Go RTD!!
August 20, 2008

8:21 a.m.

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tonyindenver writes:

the proposed local fare is what gets me these people have raised the base fare every 2 years for the last 10. it cost $2 just to ride the bus in philly and they have A LOT more services than RTD will ever have in a 100 years. they need to improve services inorder to get that much in base fare. i went to a RTD meeting when they proposed the last fare increase and they said that they would not increase the base fare to 2.00. guess i was right in saying that they would by the time FASTRAKS opens.
August 20, 2008

8:23 a.m.

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kodijack writes:

I think that charging out of district parkers is a good idea, but I don't think they are going to collect a lot of money. I think that raising the cost of riding is ridiculous. Does everyone realize that they only collect 14% of RTD's budget from rider fees? So they raised the 14% by 10%?! And? This is going to help how?

And how many people who ride RTD actually leave their car for more than 24 hours?
August 20, 2008

8:31 a.m.

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EnlightenedOne writes:

HolierThanThou writes:
"RTD isn't going to make any money on this. The contractor is going to make all the money while maximizing inconvenience and being a nuisance for out-of-district users. "

Holier: What contractor are you talking about? RTD owns their parking lots, and these fees will go directly into RTD's coffers. Those who live in the district and pay the RTD tax will continue to be allowed to park for free. Those, like commuters from Castle Rock who voted to opt out paying the RTD tax, will now have to pay the parking fee when they drive in to Lincoln station.

Yes, we've all heard the argument that even out-of-district residents pay the RTD sales tax when they shop in the district. However, that doesn't apply when they purchase a new car. I work with a guy who bragged that he saved over a thousand dollars in taxes when he purchased a new vehicle. He also rides RTD and parks for free.
August 20, 2008

8:33 a.m.

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denverbulldog writes:

I wonder if they realize many/most who use the Ecopass are going to turn into drivers without the deal.
August 20, 2008

8:44 a.m.

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mmannino writes:

eCurmudgeon,

Do you understand the value of time? Taking the bus to the nearest stop will in many situations add substantial time to a commute. For most professionals with families, the extra time is not worth the cost savings. Bus connections are unreliable. Perhaps your time is not valuable. I do not want to waste my time with these connections. It is simple but not in way that you state.
August 20, 2008

9:11 a.m.

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missmilehi writes:

RTD ticks me off!

The Eco Pass program shouldn't be losing money because they are double-dipping (and triple-dipping or more in some cases).

They require all companies/schools that participate to include all people whether they use the Eco Pass or not, and whether or not another agency is already paying for them to have an Eco Pass! SCAM!

For example, I pay for a pass through Metro State, my company is contractually required to pay for one for me, as is my housing covenant. They are getting paid THREE TIMES for just one me, and there's no way to opt out of two of the three! It's such a scam, so when they say they are losing money I just want to scream.

I asked them about it once and they basically said "too bad".
August 20, 2008

9:13 a.m.

Suggest removal

EnlightenedOne writes:

tonyindenver writes:
"the proposed local fare is what gets me these people have raised the base fare every 2 years for the last 10. "

Tony: It's an unfortunate thing called inflation. Coincidentally, my gas station has raised the cost of fuel considerably in the last 10 years, and my grocery store has done the same thing for a gallon of milk. The only difference is, these vendors don't wait two years to raise their prices.
August 20, 2008

9:21 a.m.

Suggest removal

krvus writes:

wilca66-
You're an idiot! Where do you think that the electricity from the outlet that your shiney new electric car is powered by will come from? I'll give you a hint a coal burning power plant!
You said "the sooner we can stop sending our young people to die in foreign lands in order to protect our daily drive."
Well, let me ask you- what type of car do you drive? Yea, so drive around in your car and say we shouldn't use fossil fuel... hypocrit!
BTW- all volunteer armed force here in the good ol USA! When i signed I knew what I was getting into. Maybe this is all a scam like the predatory lender problem- now we have predatory recruiters too??
August 20, 2008

9:22 a.m.

Suggest removal

youme writes:

RTD is scamming the people of Metro Denver.
Demand that their finances be investigated

http://www.colorado.gov/apps/oit/gove...
August 20, 2008

9:33 a.m.

Suggest removal

AC writes:

windbourne writes: "Interesting. This could backfire in an odd sort of way. Park meadows mall is having a walkway installed. They are counting on having ppl from other sections of the system visit in addition, to having the parkers buy from them. They are right. But this charging at arapahoe, lincoln, and even santa fe may drive more over to the park meadows. $3 vs. less than .50, will drive ppl to go there. This fee will make things worse in the denver basin, and will piss off riders because the PM will get crowded. PM will love it, because they will probably see a 5-10% increase in sales. Aspen grove will most likely see a 10-20% drop in sales. Before doing this, if I were RTD, I would talk to Aspen. I would think that they might want to come to some sort of a deal which would not have you charging."

windy, could you explain this again. I have no idea what you are even talking about with PM. I think you have a huge misunderstanding of the plan.
August 20, 2008

9:37 a.m.

Suggest removal

DanP writes:

The 120th P-N-R is so busy now if you arrive after 8am you will not get a spot. So instead of increasing the number of parking spaces RTD plans on charging to reserve a spot. With the volume increases all spots will soon become reserved! Very soon everyone will have to reservse a spot and pay for riding, talk about making some money!

RTD planning is a joke! The Northern metro area volume is already more then RTD can handle. They do not have enough busses for the number of riders. Thier only plan for improvment is FastTracks, that will be in the North in 2015 (maybe).
August 20, 2008

9:39 a.m.

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Darwin writes:

Of course fares should be increased and charges be made for parking. Costs of most everything is going up - inflation - our biggest tax. RTD is not meant to be an entitlement program. It should try to cover expenses as much as possible.
August 20, 2008

9:51 a.m.

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krvus writes:

AC- Windy was saying that with the installation of a walkway bridge at Park Meadows, the riders will simply park at the mall and use the walkway bridge to the train, thus saving the cost of parking at the RTD lots along the way.
DanP- true!
August 20, 2008

9:54 a.m.

Suggest removal

AC writes:

ChipLa writes: "How will they determine if a particular car belongs to somebody from within the district?"

License plate scans, like at DIA and other lots.

"Will people have to display a parking pass on their car?"

No. Pre-pay by plate at kiosk or monthly online. Plate is proof.

"How many passes may any single household get?"

No passes; done by vehicle.

"What if you give your pass to somebody from outside the district."

District residents don't pay anything, don't ever have to do a thing.

"Perhaps they have thought through all of the issues and problems associated with this program and just didn't include those in the article."

They did; it was in earlier articles.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news...

"I believe that there will be significant cost to implement and enforce this new policy. If 90%+ are never charged a penny, this will likely prove to be a money-losing program."

They make minimal money on it; it's meant to churn over parking spots at crowded lots.
August 20, 2008

9:57 a.m.

Suggest removal

cedykeman1 writes:

Somebody is going to have to pay. If you use the bus -- your it!

Quit complaining -- that's the real world
August 20, 2008

10:01 a.m.

Suggest removal

AC writes:

krvus writes: "AC- Windy was saying that with the installation of a walkway bridge at Park Meadows, the riders will simply park at the mall and use the walkway bridge to the train, thus saving the cost of parking at the RTD lots along the way."

That's not how the Park Meadows bridge will work. They have a system in place to prevent that. A locked gate to the bridge. You need a special pass to access it. And if that were the case at PM why wouldn't the same be true at Aspen Grove? PM doesn't benefit at all by RTD riders parking there instead of shoppers.
August 20, 2008

10:14 a.m.

Suggest removal

DanP writes:

Let's try a break down:
80 people on a bus at an average of $2.00 per ride (eco-pass cost) - $160
Only 1/3 of RTD revenue is from ridership, the other 2/3 is from taxes -$320

So once bus ride has a revenue of $480.

Overhead:
$12.00 for the driver.
$20 for gas.

Audit RTD!!!!
August 20, 2008

10:22 a.m.

Suggest removal

glowrock writes:

Uhm, 80 people on a bus, DanP? Maybe a fully loaded articulated bus! Not to mention, how do you assume $12 for the driver and $20 for gas? Oh yeah, how about the cost of the bus? Perhaps insurance? Maintenance? Overhead? Are you out of your mind?

Sheesh, some people simply have no clue!
August 20, 2008

10:26 a.m.

Suggest removal

HolierThanThou writes:

Enlightened One:

The contractor, Central Parking, will make over a million dollars on this by gouging the customer, which is pretty much their whole business plan.

RTD will at most get 20 cents on the dollar and probably less. Thanks to the idiots in Castle Rock, the RTD board has it in for riders who live just outside the district perimeter. They're willing to loose money, and chase off riders. Charging for parking is purely punitive and doesn't make good business sense. It's a cockamamie scheme that is so appallingly stupid that I'm left wondering how big the bribes were that Central Parking offered for their votes.

It will decrease ridership making routes less productive. It will increase traffic, which will slow the flow. It will increase pollution, danger on the road, and fuel costs while antagonizing both customers and potential customers. It's a no-win situation, except for Central Parking.

Maybe you might try enlightening yourself with some facts before inserting foot in mouth by saying that RTD will keep all the money from parking. They're going to loose money, not make more. And that means, if you live inside the district, your fares are likely to go up by even more.
August 20, 2008

10:29 a.m.

Suggest removal

fairness writes:

"I think it is great. The fee system penalizes people who live outside of the district that utilize the RTD system like those in Castle Rock who voted to be excluded from the district (we subsidize them) and rewards those who do not live in Exurbia." Bob299

You do realize that RTD did not send a bus to Castle Rock, don't you Bob? Why should they pay the RTD tax when RTD was not providing them service? If RTD would have had a bus to and from Castle Rock, I'm sure there would not have been a vote to stop paying the tax. Get your facts straight. You weren't subsidizing anything in Castle Rock.

And the RTD tax is a SALES tax - not a property tax. I could live in Denver and shop in Colorado Springs every weekend when I visit my mother. Therefore, EnlightenedOne, I would not pay RTD taxes either - not just on a car purchase.

RTD has no idea where you shop, therefore don't know how much you pay into their coffers. So charging someone for wanting to live outside the city is just another way for the consumer-unfriendly organization to try and make more money. RTD is in the business to make money - NOT provide efficient mass transit.
August 20, 2008

10:31 a.m.

Suggest removal

Bob444 writes:

Just drive. the RTD headaches are not worth it.
August 20, 2008

10:40 a.m.

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krvus writes:

AC- so are you saying that the person living by park meadows who wants to go downtown has to buy some sort of pass just to get to the ticket machine on the platform to buy a ticket to use the train? Where did you get this info? Nothing here in this article states that. Also, Aspen is different in that there is a RTD lot there first off and also signs all over Aspen stating thqat RTD users are not to park in the mall lot and will be towed. Enforcement of that is another issue.
I never said that the was a benefit for PM, rather a benefit for the riders who don't want to pay the fee for the lot. That's what Windy was saying.
August 20, 2008

11:22 a.m.

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ItsJustme writes:

DanP said "80 people on a bus." Good one, Dan!
August 20, 2008

11:49 a.m.

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krvus writes:

80 people?? Geez, I remember the old school bus sign up front saying "CAP 66" which would imply 3 kids in each seat on each side with 11 rows.....that's packed even by gradeschool standards!!!
August 20, 2008

12:01 p.m.

Suggest removal

fntsymtn writes:

RTD should be required to recover costs for operating expenses through non RTD tax revenues. The problem is that non-tax revenues don't come close to covering operating costs at RTD and to cover those costs, RTD would have to roughly triple the revenues they receive from non tax sources. The reality is that regardless of what gimmicks RTD comes up with to raise revenues, about 75% of their operating budget comes from the RTD sales tax (taken from their 2008 budget proposal currently available on the RTD site) so there will always be a subsidy provided by district buyers to non-district buyers.

I do find it interesting that RTD projects a 4% reduction in LightRail ridership in 2008, but projects a 3.7% and 1.1% increase in carrier provided and RTD provided (respectively) non-LRT ridership.
August 20, 2008

12:09 p.m.

Suggest removal

blindermind writes:

All this is fine and dandy but maybe RTD should install turnstiles at the stations so the thousands of people riding actually pay. I bet this would really increase their income and maybe reduce my cost. This kind of thinking is obviously from the same clowns who said that no one would use the system and the same ones that don’t add a car to the train for Bronco, Rockies, Nuggets or Avalanche games. Do any of the people making decisions ever actually ride the rail? Have they ever tried to get on after several stops? Looking down from above, the old rate increase is always the best answer.
August 20, 2008

12:11 p.m.

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knr writes:

Just a question but aren't the fixed costs of running a bus or train the same whether it has one passenger or is full? If so, why not think like a business and capture as many marginal dollars as you can by lowering the price to drive people into the system and make more money by filling the buses and trains up and increasing the economic incentive to use mass transit instead of raising prices and causing fewer people to see the economic advantages to giving up a single driver car commute?
August 20, 2008

12:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

AC writes:

krvus writes: “AC- so are you saying that the person living by park meadows who wants to go downtown has to buy some sort of pass just to get to the ticket machine on the platform to buy a ticket to use the train?”

No, not at all. The bridge goes only to and from the mall; the Park and Ride serving that station is east of I-25. People going downtown from that station would park on the east side and cross the pedestrian bridge to the station. Only non-residents pay. The PM bridge is solely for PM shoppers going from and back to light rail. Arrivals will have to obtain a free ticket at the station platform after getting off the train that will open the locked gate at the bottom of the bridge elevator. Use that ticket to get back to the station after shopping. This system does not permit transit riders to initiate their trips from the mall parking lot, because they won’t have the necessary pass to unlock the gate.

Don’t blame RTD; it’s PM management that insisted on this convoluted system.

“Where did you get this info? Nothing here in this article states that.”

I am a frequent transit rider and this has been written about extensively. Many people were po’ed about it.

“Also, Aspen is different in that there is a RTD lot there first off and also signs all over Aspen stating that RTD users are not to park in the mall lot and will be towed.”

Those signs will be put up at PM also. PM wants *no* transit riders parking there. Heck, they don’t even want bus people *shopping* there!

“I never said that the was a benefit for PM, rather a benefit for the riders who don't want to pay the fee for the lot. That's what Windy was saying.”

But that won’t be permitted. He said it would cost Aspen a sales drop and PM would increase. That’s just incorrect.
August 20, 2008

12:17 p.m.

Suggest removal

EnlightenedOne writes:

HolierThanThou writes:
"They're going to loose money, not make more. "

RTD writes: $450,000 New annual revenue RTD expects from the program.

As opposed to $0 for parking. So, rather than make more revenue, you would prefer they cut service to make up for the budget shortfall? Something's got to give, HolierTT. What would you do, cut another $450K worth of service? Which routes do you want them to cut?
August 20, 2008

12:18 p.m.

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EdVMorales writes:

I don't understand this at all! MORE riders more $$$$ right? Sounds like RTD board members are working on their end of the year bonus!
August 20, 2008

12:34 p.m.

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blindrid writes:

To Bob299:

The reason the Castle Rock voted to exclude was the lack of service. Since there was no service provided, there was no need to subsidize a entity that did nothing for the area unless you thing that a 20 mile drive to utilize a service is providing for the area.
August 20, 2008

12:52 p.m.

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missmilehi writes:

Haha, oh poor Dan - he's probably riding the 0. That one certainly seems like it's carrying at least a thousand people around 5pm.
August 20, 2008

12:58 p.m.

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fntsymtn writes:

EdV, if the fare price covered the cost of providing the service, then yes, more riders would = more $$$.

Unfortunately, the fare only covers about 22% of the operating costs to provide the service, about 75% of the service cost is covered by tax revenues (the other 3% comes from non tax sources) so RTD loses out when ridership increases unless tax revenues increase to cover the difference (which they haven't).
August 20, 2008

1:09 p.m.

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aRe writes:

So do I get this right - If I live in the metro area (Thornton) this parking fee wont apply to me?
August 20, 2008

1:22 p.m.

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arvada_mark writes:

14% increase in fares. Well, if express fares are going from $3 to $3.50, well, & help me out self proclaimed smart folks, but that's more than 14%. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking 16-17%. Einstiens? Am I close? I realize it's probably across the board, but that doesn't help me or their most popular service. Honestly is what breeds customer loyalty.

My favorite line from The Outlaw Josey Wales: "Don't pee down my back & tell me it's raining."
August 20, 2008

1:37 p.m.

Suggest removal

newsjunkie writes:

I am all in favor of charging out of district parkers. I am sick and tired of having to arrive earlier and earlier every week at the Wagon Road PNR and watching cars literally race each other to the back corners of the lot in order to grab the last couple of spots - it's like a d*mn racetrack and someone is going to get hurt. it's high time that non-district parkers start to pay up. I have been told by a city official from Northglenn that folks from Weld Co. use the lot heavily - get them out. Now. if Weld co. folks are - Larimer co. folks surely are as well. I also would like to see a crack down on people who use the lot but don't ride the bus - such as carpoolers or construction crews who park and carpool to another location, leaving their vehicles for the week - they pick up their cars on Thur. night - that is why there are always plenty of spots available on Fridays no matter when you arrive - b/c all the "long-term" parkers who are not mass transit users are gone. hopefully the $2 overnight fee will help stop that practice. the present abuse of the PNR lots is grossly unfair to those who pay taxes in the district and rely on public transportation each day. as for me - I would be happy to pay $40/month in order to assure myself a spot every day. that way - RTD can weed out all the people who are not truly committed to public transportation but only use it when they don't want to take their precious Lexus out on a snowy day - or only when gas prices creep up. let's have some sort of program to help the loyal riders.
August 20, 2008

1:38 p.m.

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krvus writes:

AC-
ok, got ya. I have seen the bridge, but had no idea how that worked. Have not seen the parking lot as I am on the west side of the highway there, so I never knew the lot was there since it's not really visible.
I myself live in the district, so like many here, will never pay a dime to park...I will say- I do love the rail for those downtown nights and any games!!
August 20, 2008

2:11 p.m.

Suggest removal

AC writes:

aRe writes: "So do I get this right - If I live in the metro area (Thornton) this parking fee wont apply to me?"

Correct. I think Kevin Flynn blew it with this story. He says it's for revenue but in realilty $450,000 won't help much. And what he didn't tell us is that only a net of $200,000 of it comes from the parking. The rest is RTD's estimate of additional fare revenue to come from managing the parking and allowing for increasing riders. That's theoretical at best.
August 20, 2008

2:23 p.m.

Suggest removal

eCurmudgeon writes:

mmannino writes: "Do you understand the value of time? Taking the bus to the nearest stop will in many situations add substantial time to a commute. For most professionals with families, the extra time is not worth the cost savings."

Indeed I do, which is why I primarily work "virtually" over the 'Net.

However, considering the growing hostility towards private automobiles in some cities (and, quite possibly, at a Federal level depending on who wins the next election), we very well may not have a choice in the matter...
August 20, 2008

2:23 p.m.

Suggest removal

BigSky182 writes:

Using RTD and my Bicycle It takes me almost 90 minutes to travel the 25 miles to where I work. I ride the bike to the PnR, then wait for a bus to take me to Union Station, then wait for a train, where I may or may not get a seat because they only allow 4 bikes per train car. I get of the train at Oxford and ride the bike the last half mile to work.

The bus pass cost me $108.

Then I bought a 4 cyclinder, manual transmission car and had it tuned up. It gets 37 mpg.... so at 3.50 per gallon gas costs me $92 per month.... and the drive is only 35 minutes most days.

So I actually SAVE 16 dollars and almost 40 hours per month by NOT taking RTD.

Someone really needs to re-think the system.
August 20, 2008

3:01 p.m.

Suggest removal

fairness writes:

So BigSky182, do you not consider oil changes, tires, tune-ups, regular maintenance, and the cost of the car itself as part of the cost of driving your car? You are being rather disingenuous by only comparing using the price of gas. I would bet that you spend more than $92 per month to drive to work. If you count those other costs, divide them by the miles driven, and add that to the gas cost, you will have a better picture of your actual costs. You wil probably see that taking the bus/lightrail is much cheaper. Although, I can't do much for your time.
August 20, 2008

3:03 p.m.

Suggest removal

krvus writes:

eCurmudgeon- you said "considering the growing hostility towards private automobiles in some cities (and, quite possibly, at a Federal level depending on who wins the next election), we very well may not have a choice in the matter..."

Wonder if the geniuses that don't want "private automobiles" have any idea what not allowing people to drive "private automobiles" would do to the economy?? Close GM and FORD, no gas stations...Not to mention the rest of the world laughing at us?? Let's take a step backward and be like China 20 years ago. Hey, maybe they'll sell us all of the slightly used bikes so we can all ride them. Imagine a brisk colorado winter day not being able to drive your so called "private automobile". Reminds me of a song by a band- Rush and the song is Red Barchetta:

My uncle has a country place
That no one knows about.
He says it used to be a farm,
Before the Motor Law........

and the song goes on to say..

Suddenly ahead of me,
Across the mountainside,
A gleaming alloy air-car
Shoots towards me, two lanes wide.
I spin around with shrieking tires,
To run the deadly race,
Go screaming through the valley
As another joins the chase.

Drive like the wind,
Straining the limits of machine and man.
Laughing out loud
With fear and hope, I've got a desperate plan.
At the one-lane bridge
I leave the giants stranded at the riverside.
Race back to the farm, to dream with my uncle at the fireside.
August 20, 2008

3:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

BigSky182 writes:

OK, if you add in maintenance cost and insurance, the car probably does cost marginally more. Lets assume that I spend $500 annually on that. That puts my monthly cost at about $135. So I would, in fact, save around $30... but that's less than a dollar an hour for the time I would be losing.... which was my point in the first place. RTD could give me a free pass and it still would not be worth it, to me, to take 10 hours per week away from my family and spend it waiting for busses and trains.
August 20, 2008

3:21 p.m.

Suggest removal

EnlightenedOne writes:

BigSky: Those of us working downtown also have to figure the cost of parking into the equation. It costs a great deal more to park in the downtown lots than RTD is considering charging for it's out of district patrons.
August 20, 2008

3:28 p.m.

Suggest removal

krvus writes:

BigSky182- you've got it. Even if it costs you slightly more, you're time is probably worth it.
Seriously here- instant poll: How many of you value your time to an extent that you wouldn't use RTD becuuse of this? And also by points made by BigSky182 stating that the waiting portion is tough enough.
I've been all around the world and throughout the states and have used planes, trains, and automobiles throught my travels. Even though we are making progress here with mass transit, RTD has possibly taken a step to reduce ridership with this.
$40.00 for reservstions- what a crook, I mean crock!
August 20, 2008

3:34 p.m.

Suggest removal

BigSky182 writes:

Sure, people working downtown have it made with RTD. Shuttles run non-stop, and busses heading literally everywhere are leaving every 7 minutes.... but what about the other 94% of the population?
August 20, 2008

8:51 p.m.

Suggest removal

Houstongolfnut writes:

Can you imagine paying $4 a day to park your pride and joy in that creepy Stapleton garage? That place with the dust, dirt, falling concrete, twisted chainlink fence and burned out lights reminds me of that movie "Escape From New York" or "The Omega Man". The place does not look safe. Whew!
August 20, 2008

9:28 p.m.

Suggest removal

EnlightenedOne writes:

Houstongolfnut: I'm not sure where you live, but you can also park at 9 Mile to catch the Skyride. It's still fairly new. No falling concrete at all.

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Home › News › Local News

RTD to begin charging for parking at Park-n-Ride lots

By Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 19, 2008 at 10:48 p.m.Updated August 20, 2008 at 10:42 a.m.

Pay to park-n-Ride

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Published August 19, 2008 at 10:48 p.m.
Updated August 20, 2008 at 10:42 a.m.