<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Helvetica;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Arial Black";
panose-1:2 11 10 4 2 1 2 2 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;}
h2
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2 Char";
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:18.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
font-weight:bold;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;}
span.Heading2Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 2 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2";
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
font-weight:bold;}
span.field
{mso-style-name:field;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1457530637;
mso-list-template-ids:-1914137246;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings and salutations:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RTD Denver has announced a public event to be held on July 28 to kick off its Zero Fare for Better Air initiative. Here is a link to that announcement, posted on RTD’s website.<br><a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/news-stop/news/rtds-zero-fare-better-air-kicks-public-event-july-28">https://www.rtd-denver.com/news-stop/news/rtds-zero-fare-better-air-kicks-public-event-july-28</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>According to the announcement, “During the entirety of August, RTD will provide all of its services – bus, rail, paratransit and microtransit – at zero fare to the public.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I offer here, for your information, edification, and convenience, a copy of the announcement referenced by the above link.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid gainsboro 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 2.0pt 0in;background:white'><h2 style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-line-height-alt:14.4pt;background:white;border:none;padding:0in'><span class=field><span style='font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545;text-transform:uppercase'>RTD’S ZERO FARE FOR BETTER AIR KICKS OFF WITH PUBLIC EVENT JULY 28</span></span><span style='font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545;text-transform:uppercase'><o:p></o:p></span></h2></div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#5C5C5C;text-transform:uppercase'>POSTED ON <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#5C5C5C;text-transform:uppercase'>07.22.2022<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>The Aug. 1 start of <a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/zerofare"><span style='color:#096AB0'>Zero Fare for Better Air</span></a> – a collaborative, statewide initiative designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing use of public transit – is right around the corner, and <a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/"><span style='color:#096AB0'>RTD</span></a> invites media outlets and the public to a news conference and community outreach event July 28 to learn more about the initiative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>During the entirety of August, RTD will provide all of its services – bus, rail, paratransit and microtransit – at zero fare to the public. Zero Fare for Better Air, which takes place during Colorado’s highest ozone month, is supported through a grant program created by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180 in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office. Through this initiative, RTD welcomes everyone to its system – those who may have not used the agency’s services, either during or prior to the pandemic; individuals whose travel habits have changed; and those who continue to use RTD services daily.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said she appreciates the collaboration and communication with RTD’s community and jurisdictional partners around this initiative, which also aligns with agency strategic priorities that include Customer Excellence and Community Value.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>“Providing a full month of zero fare is a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the value transit brings to the communities served and encourage the public to see firsthand how we make lives better through connections,” Johnson said. “It’s widely known that new habits can be formed within weeks. This month will enable anyone unfamiliar with the RTD system to hop onboard, give the service a try and evaluate whether to modify their travel behavior.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>At a kickoff event at <strong><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>10:30 a.m. July 28 near Track 6 at Union Station</span></strong>, the public can hear comments from a roster of dignitaries about Zero Fare for Better Air and its importance to the Denver metro region and the state. RTD staff will be on hand to provide information about other agency projects, initiatives and items of interest, including transit safety, <a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/reimagine"><span style='color:#096AB0'>Reimagine RTD</span></a> and the <a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/farestudy"><span style='color:#096AB0'>fare study and equity analysis</span></a>. Members of RTD’s recruitment team will have information about career opportunities available throughout the agency.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>Event speakers include:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem 1.25rem;list-style-position:outside' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#454545;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;font-size:inherit'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Debra A. Johnson, RTD General Manager and CEO <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#454545;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;font-size:inherit'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Vince Buzek, RTD Board Chair <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#454545;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;font-size:inherit'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Sen. Faith Winter, Colorado State Senator <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#454545;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;font-size:inherit'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Rep. Matt Gray, Colorado State Representative <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#454545;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;font-size:inherit'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Bud Starker, Metro Mayors Caucus Chair, Wheat Ridge Mayor <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#454545;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;font-size:inherit'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Douglas Rex, DRCOG Executive Director <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#454545;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;font-size:inherit'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Dominique Gomez, Colorado Energy Office Deputy Director <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#454545;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;font-size:inherit'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Lance Longenbohn, ATU 1001 President and Business Agent <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>During the month of August, community coffee chats involving RTD staff and Transit Police team members are also planned at various RTD stations, enabling the public to ask questions about service, safety and other topics of interest. A complete list of event dates and times is published on the <a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/zerofare"><span style='color:#096AB0'>Zero Fare for Better Air webpage</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>RTD is operating under its current service plan for the duration of the initiative. Agency staff has developed operational plans to meet increased service demands and will make adjustments as necessary. To supplement service as resources are available to do so, rail cars will be added to trains and extra buses will continue to be positioned strategically throughout RTD’s service area.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>RTD’s Transit Police division will use all available resources to support Zero Fare for Better Air. With this being a statewide initiative, RTD has spoken with municipalities and local police agencies within the eight counties it serves, with an expectation that every entity supports this effort and provides resources to ensure its success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin:1rem;text-rendering: optimizelegibility'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#454545'>Customers who are new to the RTD system can plan trips or research routes by visiting the agency’s website, where they can use the <a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/app/plan"><span style='color:#096AB0'>Trip Planner app</span></a>, access schedules or sign up for <a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/app/alerts"><span style='color:#096AB0'>Service Alerts</span></a>. <a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/app/nextride"><span style='color:#096AB0'>Next Ride</span></a> provides real-time vehicle information. To ask questions during normal business hours (6 a.m.-6 p.m.), call Customer Care at 303.299.6000.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Curtis Chong<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>