DENVER — For months, RTD has been reviewing different parts of its transit system to close the more than $200 million deficit the agency has been facing.
Denver7 was at a Tuesday night meeting of the RTD board of directors as riders urged leaders to keep fare prices where they area.
"I use RTD access a ride to get to work. Without public transportation, I would have to rely on my family and friends to give me rides to work," one person said.
- Hear from her directly in the video player below.
"Flex ride is not just a transportation service, it's an essential part of community that helps people remain connected, independent and safe," another said.
Tuesday night, board members struck down the idea of increasing fares to achieve an additional $8 million savings, totaling $12 million.
Though members decided to not raise fares, they are moving forward with service reductions to save the agency about $20 million.
In a 9-6 vote, the board of directors elected to have staff build the proposed 2027 budget based on the $20 million saving target. Chris Nicholson, District A's representative on the RTD Board of Directors, said the $20 million equates to 6.7% in cuts. However, RTD's spokesperson Marta Sipeki said the percentage will depend on the timing of the service changes needed to achieve the $20 million target in 2027.
Service changes will be created based on priorities, including preservation and growth of ridership, local transit needs, and board adopted service standards that include a focus on cost per boarding, revenue service hour cost, and service duplication.
The changes would take effect no later than May or June of next year.
Board members also voted to move forward with a High-Volume Event Service pilot with the Broncos, meaning Broncos Ride could return at some point.
