The new year means it costs transit riders and E-470 users more
to get from here to there.
The Regional Transportation District raised one-way cash fares
for bus and light rail passengers from $1.75 to $2. At the same
time, the E-470 authority raised fees for the 47-mile toll
road.
Centennial resident Carl Pollock said he got hit in the wallet
by both increases because he uses light rail to get to and from his
downtown office and uses E-470 for frequent trips to and from home
to the airport.
“I don’t like it but, I guess it’s just the cost of doing
business,” he said with a scowl.
RTD began studying the fare increases late last year when the
cost of fuel skyrocketed.
During the discussion, diesel fuel was more than $4.50 a gallon,
almost double the price near the start of 2008.
While fuel prices have dropped dramatically, Daria Serna said
the additional money created by the fare increase is needed to
balance the budget in light of a dramatic drop in sales tax
revenues in the current economic climate.
It didn’t help that RTD tried to help itself when fuel prices
were climbing and signed an agreement to buy diesel fuel for $3.09.
But, with the fall in fuel prices, the district probably could get
diesel fuel for about $2 a gallon at the present time.
The new year also brought two major changes on the E-470 toll
road.
The new standard toll at mainline plazas will increase by 50
cents, and at ramp plazas by 25 cents.
In addition, the authority has begun using technology to collect
tolls.
Called open-road tolling, drivers no longer have to stop at toll
booths. Instead, cameras will record the license-plate number and
the driver will be billed for the toll.
Toll booths will continue to be staffed for about six months
but, starting July 4, the booths will be removed and registered
owners of all vehicles using E-470 will be billed for tolls.
