The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is taking a groundbreaking step towards building a more equitable and accessible transit system by providing $1 million in free rides to individuals in immediate need.
The Transit Assistance Grant (TAG) program marks a significant commitment to bridging the gap for those who face barriers to affordable and reliable transportation.
TAG was born out of RTD’s 2023 Fare Study and Equity Analysis, which recognized the limitations of existing discount programs.
“These grants equate to increased independence, access to essential services and employment resources, and improved community connections for thousands of immediate-needs members in the Denver metro area,” states RTD Director of Civil Rights Division Carl Green, Jr. “TAG addresses the urgency of transportation needs for individuals who fall through the cracks of existing programs.”
The program comes after concerns that RTD’s existing discount program left behind some of the most in need.
RTD had a similar discount program for nonprofits in the past but ended it in 2019 in favor of a different program called LiVE that allowed low-income people to apply for 40 percent discounted passes. However, a CPR investigation from 2020 found that the new program presented a number of barriers to people in need who lacked things like proper income documents or a cell phone or struggled to keep track of documents, including the LiVE card required to ride.
“A recurring theme from customers is the amount of time for enrollment into the LiVE income-based fare discount program. TAG is meant to help fill the gap on a temporary basis for customers with urgent transportation-related requirements,” said RTD Director of Civil Rights Division Carl Green, Jr. in a statement Friday.
Eligibility requirements
Organizations serving seniors, individuals with disabilities, those navigating the justice system, low-income residents, and immigrants can apply for grants up to $50,000.
Recipients will distribute 10-ride tickets directly to their clients, enabling them to access crucial destinations like healthcare providers, grocery stores, and job interviews.
How to apply
The RTD staff will host two webinars at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, and 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan 10.
Nonprofits can apply for the grants online.
