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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Greetings everyone:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>If you use public transportation services (including paratransit services) in the Denver metropolitan area, you will be pleased to hear that on Tuesday, July 25, the Board of Directors of the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) unanimously approved a fare restructuring program which will reduce fares over-all, make bus and light rail fares the same, and eliminate regional fares. Paratransit (i.e., Access-a-Ride) passengers will also benefit from fare reductions will now have the opportunity to apply for a 50% discount through RTD’s income-based fare reduction (LiVE) program. All of this is expected to start in early 2024. However, the LiVE discount for paratransit passengers will take some time to be implemented, but we are assured that it will happen some time next year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I offer here a copy of material I just received from RTD which explains all of this in what I hope is plain, easily-readable text. What seems to be missing is information confirming that in addition to the Airport Monthly Pass, the regular monthly pass, currently $114, will also be reduced to $88. For Access-a-Ride passengers interested in applying for the LiVE program, the current federal poverty level for a household of 1 is pegged at $14,580 annually. Thus, to qualify, a household of one would need to have an annual income that is less than $36,450, 2.5 times that amount. These figures are likely to increase starting in January of next year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><Begin Excerpt><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h1>Updated Fare Structure<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>RTD’s updated fare structure will be implemented in early 2024. Staff are in the process of finalizing the implementation details, and a specific timeline will be announced in the near future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>The recently approved updated fare structure lowers all costs for the first time in RTD’s history. The fare structure supports equitable and fair access for transit-reliant and financially burdened customers, aligns the fares with service value, and makes the overall fares easier to understand with standardized discounts and streamlined fare payment options.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>Standard Fare<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>In 2024, a new standard fare will replace the current local and regional fares. The standard fare will be $2.75 for a 3-hour pass, and $5.50 for a day pass. The current amount for a 3-hour pass is $3 for a local zone and $5.25 for a regional zone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>Monthly Pass<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>The new monthly pass, which includes the Denver International Airport, will be reduced from $200 to $88. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>Discount Fares<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>A single discount fare will be $1.35 for a 3-hour pass, $2.70 for a day pass, $27 for a monthly pass. This amount provides access to any RTD destination, including the airport. Discount fares are available to adults 65 and older, people with disabilities, Medicare recipients, and individuals enrolled in LiVE, RTD’s income-based fare discount program.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>LiVE Program Expansion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>RTD is expanding its LiVE Program to ensure more customers are eligible to enroll, and the discount is being adjusted from 40% to 50%, to align with other discounted fares. The income thresholds have also been increased from 185% to 250% of Federal Poverty Level. RTD has also removed the in-district requirement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>LiVE customers who present their valid credentials at the time of boarding the bus will receive the same discount whether paying in cash or other means. Customers purchasing fare via ticket vending machines or at the sales outlets will also receive the discount and will need to present their valid LiVE credentials upon request during a fare check. Additionally, income-eligible customers using paratransit services can enroll in and receive LiVE discounts on Access-a-Ride fares for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>Access-a-Ride<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>The Access-a-Ride fares are being reduced from $5 for a local fare to $4.50 for a one-way standard fare. As with the other updated fare structure changes, the regional fare is being removed. The one-way fare to the airport will also be reduced from $20 to $19. For individuals enrolled in the LiVE Program, the new one-way standard fare will be $2.25 and $9.50 airport fare. Additionally, 6-ride tickets will be reduced from $30 to $27 for standard fare, and $13.50 for individuals enrolled in LiVE. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>Zero Fare for Youth<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;layout-grid-mode:char;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#454545'>Starting on September 1, 2023, RTD will offer a 12-month pilot program allowing youth 19 and under to use RTD’s services at no cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><End Excerpt><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We can all hope that RTD will move quickly to implement this new fare structure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Curtis Chong<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>