RTD wants to raise Denver bus fares TO THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION, higher than New York City!   As a legally blind person, I totally depend on RTD to get around and have quality of life, and these fare hikes will hurt thousands of people like me by either cutting into our food and rent or limiting our mobility and thus lowering our quality of life.  I ask for your signature on this petition to help keep public transportation affordable, and invite you to share this.  Thank you.

Satirical Intro Video:  youtu.be/63AD1a0FYbg
Facebook Page:  fb.com/FixRTD

We ask the RTD Board of Directors to vote NO on your proposed fare increase, NO on the elimination of transfers, and NO on the potential cuts to our services for 2016.  We further ask that you make Access-a-Ride affordable.

During the height of the Great Recession, you hiked fares by 29%. During the same time period, you cut bus routes serving blind, disabled and working class people by over $20 million per year. Per your recent fare study survey, you have threatened further cuts to our services if the fare increase is not implemented. That is outrageous and unreasonable.

Your proposed fare increase of 15% from $2.25 to $2.60 per bus boarding (nearly the highest fare in the nation), and elimination of transfers, will hurt disabled and working class people who depend on the bus to get to and from work, and whose wages have stagnated.  Your proposed increase could also set a dangerous precedent for sweeping fare hikes across the nation, at a time when the disabled and working class are hurting the most.  This proposal is regressive and should not be allowed to go forward.

Further, your Access-a-Ride fare—twice the regular bus fare each way, currently $4.50—is higher than that of 29 out of the top 30 transit agencies in the United States, and doubles the burden on your most vulnerable and disabled constituents. We can no longer afford it, especially at your proposed increase to a ridiculous $5.20 per way. Therefore, we demand you lower the Access-a-Ride fare to be the same as a regular fare, currently $2.25, as is the policy in San Francisco, New York, and Portland. We also ask that you start officially referring to your disabled riders as "Honored Citizens," as does TriMet Portland.

Given that over 85% of your revenues come from taxes and grants, and not fares, we know you can address these issues with ease with a little fiscal housekeeping.