RTD to implement parking fees

Charges aimed at transit riders who live outside district

By Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 23, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Photo by Ken Papaleo / The Rocky

Cars sit in a park-n-Ride lot at I-25 and Broadway on Tuesday. RTD plans to impose a parking fee in its lots, but only on commuters living outside its taxing district.

RTD is set to impose parking fees at its most crowded park-n- Ride lots, but the program it fought for three years to implement will impact only about one out of 10 transit riders.

Commuters who live in the RTD taxing district, about 88 percent of the total using its park-n- Ride lots, won't be charged the $2 to $4 daily fee.

The transit agency has long said its push for paid parking wasn't about the revenue, but was a way to ensure more turnover of parking spaces in its busiest lots - and the revenue projection bears that out.

RTD expects to net only about $200,000 a year from the program, a figure that is a drop in the bucket when compared with an expected $21.4 million budget gap due to rising fuel costs and lower-than- projected sales tax collections.

It is so little, in fact, that RTD board members at a briefing Tuesday night suggested the parking fees be earmarked for some special purpose - building new parking spaces, subsidizing feeder buses to park-n-Rides to reduce parking demand, or to fund public art at park-n-Ride lots, for example.

The plan could be in place for some lots starting in February, with all 40 targeted lots charging by May.

Fare increase eyed

Board members on Tuesday also reviewed data on RTD's fare structure in advance of considering a fare increase. RTD staff is looking at the impact of a 25-cent and 50-cent across-the-board increase, which would raise the local fare to $2 or $2.25.

A specific increase won't be recommended until next month, with public hearings to follow and a board vote by October.

The RTD district covers all or part of eight metro counties, twice the land area of the state of Rhode Island. But still, some riders drive in from outside the district and park in the outlying lots. Castle Rock voters, for example, recently voted themselves out of the district.

The parking charge is aimed at offsetting the lack of sales taxes being paid by nonresident users of the system.

RTD plans to charge nonresidents $4 a day to park at 16 high- demand lots and $2 a day to park at 24 lower-demand lots.

RTD also proposes charging $2 a day to any in-district vehicle parked in those lots for more than 24 hours, a move aimed at people who, for example, take a skyRide bus to Denver International Airport and leave their vehicles at RTD lots while they are gone.

"If this program is successful, it will free up space in high-demand facilities and that space will be filled by new patrons," said Errol Stevens, RTD's chief property manager. He said fare revenue from new riders could bring in another $250,000 a year.

RTD also is setting up a reserved parking program. Up to 10 percent of the spaces in park-n- Rides will be set aside for drivers willing to pay $42 a month. RTD came up with this program in response to regular commuters who go in to work later in the morning and can't find spaces in the most crowded lots.

In order to keep some spaces available, reserved spots will be kept open until 10 a.m. After that, they will be open to anyone.

RTD board member Bruce Daly said he feared the charges would discourage some people from riding transit. He represents the mountain area of south Jefferson County and noted some commuters from Park County use the crowded lot in Pine Junction.

flynnk@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5247

• July 23, 2008

  1:10 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Who_Me writes:

  What is the point of the Commuters Sound Off panel? All but Jeff show an amazing amount of ignorance to outright stupidity.

  For people who live the metropolitan district, hello? - you're only paying for overnight parking. Stay more than 24, pay. If not, no charge to you. What is so hard to fathom about that?

  To the people who live outside the district, why should you get the same service when you pay less than everyone in the district? Outside = you're not paying the RTD tax. It's fair that metro residents help subsidize your use of the parking lots?

  To the Texans - not everyone goes downtown. Quite a few go to the tech center. What does the price of parking downtown have to do with everyone as a whole?

  RMN - what a fluff piece of journalism.

• July 23, 2008

  4:51 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  LOUIE writes:

  I take the bus on days I plan on pouring a few drinks and enjoying cigars with my clients and friends; some days I drive. Either way the bus services main attraction to most is cost. I think RTD needs to be mindful of the working poor, to whom a rate hike really cuts into thier budgets. I don't mind paying out a couple of bucks for the ride, after 20 some years riding, I've met some great people riding the bus. Wonderful conversations. However, it is quite costly to many of the working poor who don't have extra spending capitol, or Eco passes etc. For thier sake, since these people are the bedrock foundation of ridership, I would hope RTD would find other ways. Now, since they'll be charging money to park, maybe they could assist better with the car break ins, vandalism, and other destructive issues as they occur on thier lot. After all, when you accept money is that not a contract between two partys? A lot of people have suffered criminal acts to thier vehicles in these lots even with added security. RTD needs to improve in many areas, money is not the only issue. The private companies have severe employee issues especially; some people should not work with the public in any capacity. Most of RTD's driver are pretty good and actually go out of thier way to help others. However it the few bad apples one never forgets. I believe it starts at the top with people like the General Manager of RTD, he leaves much to be desired in many areas.

• July 23, 2008

  5:07 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Shadow writes:

  Less service, higher prices. The way buisness is now acceppted, conducted, and abused.

• July 23, 2008

  7:11 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  VVVV writes:

  Great. Now I'll have to pay for the priviledge to have someone forcibly tear large plastic trim pieces off my car. It's happened three times, and now my car looks like a construction project with vacant holes all over the trim.

  I'll also have the priviledge to wake up another 15 minutes earlier to make sure as I am waiting in line to park at 5:15 in the morning that I don't miss my train. I can't imagine the line at 8:00.

  If RTD really wants to make some extra cash, they should put turnstiles in just like all the other less trusting cities did long ago. People are riding free all the time, and others for less than the full fare. As the trains become more and more standing room only, nobody's fare will be checked.

  But instead they are going to inconvenience all of us (at our expense) to ultimately increase revenue hopefully at least slightly above the additional cost to monitor parking. And only for those who live out of district. This is the king of all exercises in futility. For a little more, they could check everyone's fare and pull in a lot more revenue from people in and out of the district.

  But the last thing I'd ever expect from RTD is a good idea.

• July 23, 2008

  7:45 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  PRoy writes:

  I didn't see this in the article, but how are they planning on checking for in/out of residency?
  Also, will this be a "charge on the way in" or on the way out? (In "in", then I just found my new storage site for my RV!)

  Also, (As VVVV mentioned), with this basis of having to pay for parking, will RTD start to better equip the lots to watch/target vandals and thefts? I would imagine that if there is increased costs for what was once free, then I would expect a little more security.
  This alone is one reason I avoid the RTD lots - I've found better camera coverage at a couple of local supermarkets within walking distance to the terminals.

• July 23, 2008

  8:05 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  warrengfunk7 writes:

  What I read aid RTD would only charge $2 a day, if you leave your car there more than one day. The first day will still be free. As I read these comments, it seems most people think RTD is going to charge $2 a day, starting with the first day, even though it doesn't say that anywhere.

  Oh and one dude said he hopes RTD charges for parking, so more people drive their cars downtown. I'm sorry, but that is a good thing, because why, exactly? You like roads with more cars? Do you like more smog? Do you like people paying higher fuel prices (higher demand, higher prices)? Do you not care for the environment or the cities future as a World Class City with a World Class Mass-Transit system? What's the deal here dude? 72 years old or not, it's your generation that got us in this mess, and you have the nerve to think you still have a say in OUR future? Wake Up!

• July 23, 2008

  9:04 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Houstongolfnut writes:

  Oh yes, we should be paying $4 a day to park at that creepy Stapleton Garage. It's a dump that reminds me of that movie "Escape From New York". That parking facility is the result of letting liberal government run things.

• July 23, 2008

  9:45 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  CWW writes:

  Oh, I don't know Floyd, we have that neat-o blue horse at the airport. Surely that qualifies as "world class."

  As for you Mr. Funk, you sound like me in the 60's talking to MY parents. Get real, things don't change that much and people will do whatever suits them. If it's more convenient to drive, they will. Don't think you have a say in your future---the politicians have that all figured out for you.

• July 23, 2008

  10:33 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Diff writes:

  RTD is a money hungry operation - I can understand that they too are enduring the increased cost of fuel -
  This parking charge is minimal but what is it going to cost to enforce and operate? IS that NET of 200,000 taking into account the costs; More employees, more driving from park and ride to park and ride - (I doubt the "attendants" will take the bus)I would bet the costs out weigh the income or at best the Net revenue would be very small not to mention the investment to issue parking tickets, collected the money etc - get practical RTD!

  One other thing that is not being taken in to account - Running a bus nearly empty or nearly full probably uses a minimal difference in fuel - maybe 10 - 15%. Increased ridership - which is evident if you ever take the bus, means increased revenue for a very minimal increase in cost.
  What does RTD do with all the money - I think it is time for close and careful audit of RTD, not just a accounting audit - but a management and operational review of at what goes on with RTD!
  They seem to be a money pit...

• July 23, 2008

  12:56 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  bph writes:

  drop the RTD tax and charge those who use it.

• July 23, 2008

  1:12 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  RTD needs to get a clue. I thought that their mission was to get MORE riders - not less!

  And talk about ignorance, Who_Me, the RTD tax is a SALES TAX, not a PROPERTY TAX. Many people live outside the RTD district, but work and shop WITHIN the district, thus actually paying their "fair share" of taxes. Why should they have to pay more just because they want to live away from town? Not all the people riding the bus or light rail are from Colorado Springs or Pueblo. What about people living in rural areas near Castle Rock, or even IN Castle Rock?

  And speaking of Castle Rock, the article failed to mention a "minor" point when pointing out that Castle Rock voted out of the RTD taxes - RTD DIDN'T PROVIDE THEM ANY SERVICE! Why should they pay for something when they weren't getting any benefit??? RTD sends a bus to that huge population center called Franktown, but could not see fit to send a bus to Castle Rock. Go figure.

• July 23, 2008

  1:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SL10 writes:

  PRoy, RTD will be able to crossmatch license plates in the Park and Ride lots against DMV records to see if a car is registered in a RTD district. My opinion here is if people who live in non RTD districts ie. Castle Rock who do not want to pay the tax or live in rural areas not part of RTD's system. Why should they get free parking? Charge them for parking.

• July 23, 2008

  1:45 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Art writes:

  This will cost RTD more than the estimated $200,00- to $250,000 revenue they expect to get from it. They will have to staff the lots with people to check first where the car comes from and second they will have to check if the car has been in the lot more than 24 hours. They will have to set up gates to take the fares and to hand out parking tickets as the cars come in and go out. The traffic jams for instance at Wagon Road will be horrendous at 4:30 PM. This is a solution looking for a problem. The RTD board is just nuts to put this into effect. They will lose more money on this than they can possibly make from it. And it wll discourage a lot of people from taking mass transit. When it is cheaper and easier to drive and pay for parking close to one's work site than it is to take mass transit people will opt for the cheaper and easier alternative. This will increase traffic on the roads, which is not what RTD should be looking to do. But I guess when a bunch of morons are running something like RTD this is what can be expected. Together they may all have an IQ in double digits. What a bunch of idiots.

• July 23, 2008

  5:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  silverjeep2000 writes:

  RTD does not need to charge a fee to use the park n ride. What they need is a board that can face reality and knows how to look to the future about cost increases for material and construction. RTD also plans to ask for a sales tax increase. VOTE NO for this as well. Don't let RTD take advantage of you. Help yourself and others by joining forces with the Colorado Property Rights Coalition. You may be next whether you want to admit it or not. Others denied RTD would harm them and now they are finding out. Check out what RTD says and what they really do.

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