Denver RTD Makes Free Transit for Youth Permanent
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver has announced that its Zero Fare for Youth program, which allows young people to access all RTD services for free, will now be a permanent offering. This decision aims to ease the lives of young residents while contributing to efforts to reduce ozone pollution.
The RTD Board of Directors voted on Tuesday to make the program permanent, ensuring that youth aged 19 and under can use public transportation without any cost. To access RTD services for free, youths must present a valid student or government-issued ID. A comprehensive list of acceptable ID options is available on the Zero Fare for Youth webpage.
“The one-year pilot program initially launched on Sept. 1, 2023, to provide affordable, equitable, and simplistic transit options for youth,” the RTD stated in a news release. “The pilot was based on a key recommendation from the agency’s fare study and equity analysis.”
RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson highlighted the program’s success: “Since Zero Fare for Youth began last year, my team and I have heard directly from the public that the program has proven to be a game-changer. It enables youth to access schools, work, and extracurricular activities without the concern of how they will pay their fares.”
The initiative is not only beneficial for young people’s mobility and independence but also serves as an educational tool. “Zero Fare for Youth is helping RTD’s youngest customers understand how their new habits are aiding air quality in their communities and supporting their freedom to explore and gain independence,” Johnson said. “RTD is also developing transit customers for life.”
By making the Zero Fare for Youth program permanent, RTD aims to foster a generation that values and utilizes public transportation, promoting sustainable habits that benefit both individuals and the environment.
