RTD Zero Fare
2023 Zero Air for Better Air
During July and August 2023, RTD offered zero fares across its system as part of the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative. This collaborative, statewide initiative, made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180, in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, was designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing the use of public transit. Fares were “Zero” (in effect, free) on RTD from July 1st to August 31st, during Colorado’s high ozone season.
July 2023 vs June 2023 Ridership (Month-to-Month Comparison)
Bus
Jul 2023: 3,769,000
Jun 2023: 3,142,000
19.96%
Light Rail
Jul 2023: 1,154,000
Jun 2023: 1,061,000
8.77%
Commuter Rail
Jul 2023: 883,000
Jun 2023: 757,000
16.64%
Whole System
Jul 2023: 6,066,000
Jun 2023: 5,198,000
16.70%
July 2023 vs July 2022 Ridership (Year-to-Year Comparison)
Bus
Jul 2023: 3,769,000
Jun 2023: 2,873,000
31.19%
Light Rail
Jul 2023: 1,154,000
Jun 2023: 1,223,000
-5.64%
Commuter Rail
Jul 2023: 883,000
Jun 2023: 724,000
21.96%
Whole System
Jul 2023: 6,066,000
Jun 2023: 5,209,000
16.45%
2022 Zero Air for Better Air
The 2022 Zero Air for Better Air initiative ran during August 2022 and provided “zero” (free) fares across the RTD system. It was made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180, which was designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing the use of public transit.
August 2022 vs July 2022 Ridership (Month-to-Month Comparison)
Bus
Aug 2022: 3,721,000
Jul 2022: 2,873,000
29.52%
Light Rail
Aug 2022: 1,394,000
Jul 2022: 1,223,000
13.98%
Commuter Rail
Aug 2022: 832,000
Jul 2022: 724,000
14.92%
Whole System
Aug 2022: 6,360,000
Jul 2022: 5,209,000
22.10%
August 2022 vs August 2021 Ridership (Year-to-Year Comparison)
Bus
Aug 2022: 3,721,000
Aug 2021: 2,635,000
41.21%
Light Rail
Aug 2022: 1,394,000
Aug 2021: 991,000
40.67%
Commuter Rail
Aug 2022: 832,000
Aug 2021: 655,000
27.02%
Whole System
Aug 2022: 6,360,000
Aug 2021: 4,668,000
36.25%
Note: Ridership in 2021 was still considered to be severely depressed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.