Denver Regional Transportation District Board Votes to Extend Zero-Fare Youth Transit Pass Through 2027

DENVER, CO — The Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors voted on Sunday morning to extend the 'Zero Fare for Youth' transit initiative through the end of 2027, making free public transit permanent for all youth aged 19 and younger across the eight-county Denver metro region.

Program Metrics and Ridership Growth

Since the pilot program launched, youth ridership across RTD buses and commuter rail lines has surged by over 45%, logging more than 6.8 million youth transit trips over the past academic year. The program allows students to travel to middle schools, high schools, vocational training centers, and after-school employment without paying transit fares or requiring specialized passes.

The initiative is co-financed through a $12-million annual grant from the Colorado Ozone Season Transit Grant Program and regional air quality enterprise revenues.

"Providing fare-free transit for our youth breaks down transportation barriers to education, reduces traffic congestion around schools, and fosters the next generation of lifelong transit riders," RTD General Manager Debra A. Johnson said in Denver.

Equity and Family Savings

Denver Public Schools and youth advocacy organizations praised the permanent extension, calculating that families with multiple school-aged children save an average of $1,100 annually in public transit pass costs.

RTD transit police reported that increased youth ridership has coincided with lower fare-dispute incidents across rail station platforms.

Implementation

Youth riders need only present a valid student ID or state-issued photo ID upon request when boarding any RTD bus, light rail, or commuter rail train.