Denver RTD to hike fares

The Denver Regional Transportation District's (RTD) board on Wednesday approved a series of fare hikes that will take effect early next year.

The cost of local bus and light-rail fares will increase to $3 from $2.60, while regional bus and commuter-rail fares will increase to $5.25 from $4.50. In addition, the price of a train trip from Denver International Airport will jump to $10.50 from $9.

The Pass Program Working Group, a 25-member body tasked with evaluating changes to RTD's pass programs and fare policies, recommended the fare increases after a year of public meetings and ridership modeling.

Among other fare changes, the agency plans to roll out a new low-income program that will provide a 40 percent fare discount to households at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

RTD also will introduce a three-hour pass to replace the three-hour one-way pass.