The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver recently implemented a Zero Fare for Better Air program, where they offered free rides with the goal of reducing air pollution along the Front Range. A groundbreaking study conducted by the RTD shows that more than 6 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions were eliminated during this promotion, costing the district over $15 million.
While this reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is significant, it only represents a small portion of the air pollution that Colorado aims to decrease. The state’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap calls for a reduction of 12.7 million tons in annual transportation emissions by 2030.
The study found that people choosing to ride RTD’s buses and trains in July and August decreased the number of vehicle miles traveled by 145,393 per day, totaling 9 million miles over the course of two months. By avoiding these miles, drivers did not contribute to the pollutants that lead to ground-level ozone, a major concern for the nine-county region surrounding Denver, which is currently in serious violation of federal air quality standards.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increased use of public transportation also decreases fuel production by the oil and gas industry, further benefiting local air quality. However, the program did lead to a rise in security incidents on RTD property, as well as an increase in criminal mischief, assaults, and biohazard incidents.
This initiative aligns with efforts to combat climate change and improve air quality in the region, addressing the serious violation of ozone standards by the Environmental Protection Agency. It also caters to the health and safety of the community, particularly vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic lung conditions.
With the expansion of the free ridership program to two months and an increase in ridership by 10%, more than 6 million people took advantage of the free transportation, leading to a $15.2 million loss in fares for RTD. However, the Colorado Energy Office reimbursed the district $13.9 million to help offset these costs.
This program, while not without its challenges, represents a step in the right direction for Colorado’s efforts to reduce air pollution and combat climate change through innovative and community-oriented initiatives. Sign up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter to stay informed about more Colorado news.
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