(tmoberly@mscd.edu)
Increases in RTD fares have trickled down to the Auraria Campus, meaning that students will have to approve an increased fee or face losing the discounted pass.
On April 1 and 2, students will vote on whether or not to increase the bus pass fee from $37 to $46 for the 2009 – 2010 school year. The increase follows the 14 percent across-the-board fare increase RTD implemented in January.
The total cost for the Auraria passes for the 2007 – 2008 year was $2.8 million, and the cost for next year has increased to $3.2 million, RTD spokeswoman Daria Serna said.
Serna also noted that ridership is up among Auraria students, which also necessitated increasing the price of the pass. Last year, 97 percent of students voted to increase the bus pass fee from $33 to $37, with over 3,000 students turning out to vote.
“What we really need is more students to vote,” Rachel Wear, a member of the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board said. “Do you want to continue with this fantastic deal or do you want it to abruptly end in August?”
Mana Rajai, a UCD student, doesn’t agree with increasing the cost of the pass.
“I use the light rail occasionally. I think $37 is enough already. We have to pay so much for things already and it’s just going to keep going up,” Rajai said.
Metro student Kevin Torres would vote to increase the fee, noting that the higher cost is still far less than students would have to pay for a pass otherwise. “I know everybody doesn’t want to pay more, but in the long run you are saving more.”
A 12-month pass purchased through RTD directly would cost from $770 to $1,804. Even with the increased price, students will still pay less than $100 a year for a pass.
Students can vote on both days at institution-specific locations. Metro students vote in the Central Classroom Building. UCD students vote in the North Classroom Building and CCD students vote in the South Classroom Building.
RTD Passes by the numbers
- Auraria Student Pass
Free Local, Limited, Express, Regional bus service —including Boulder and Longmont — and Light Rail Service in all fare zones. It can also be used as a $4 credit on skyRide to DIA.
- Local AB and BC Regular
Pass is valid for all Local, Limited, designated light rail fare zones and call-n-Ride service throughout the District at all times. It can also be used as a credit of $2 on any other regular RTD service.
- Express ABC Regular Pass
This pass is valid for all Express, light rail fare zones A, B and C and all of the service listed above throughout the District at all times. It can also be used as a credit of $3.50 on any other regular RTD service.
- Regional All Zones
This pass is valid for skyRide, all light rail fare zones and all of the service listed above.
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