Metro Denver residents will be able to enjoy free rides on all Regional Transportation District (RTD) buses and trains today, Tuesday in honor of Rosa Parks, a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. The free fare day coincides with Transit Equity Day, a nationwide initiative that promotes public transportation as a fundamental civil right. The goal of the day is to highlight how public transit is essential for social inclusion, providing people with access to work, healthcare, and education.
RTD CEO Debra Johnson made the announcement on Monday in Denver’s City Park, standing alongside statues of civil rights icons Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Parks, who famously refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955, sparked the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott. This act of defiance played a key role in the civil rights movement. Parks, who was born on February 4, 1913, is remembered for her bravery in the face of racial injustice.
Transit Equity Day, which was established by federal transportation officials in 2021, encourages people to reflect on the importance of equal access to transportation. It underscores the need for affordable and reliable transit options that connect communities and help individuals access opportunities. This year, more than a dozen public transit agencies across the country are participating in the initiative, offering free rides and promoting the idea that access to public transit is a vital right for all people.
