The 2025 budget for the Regional Transportation District is the largest in the agency’s 55-year history.
The Denver-area Regional Transportation District (RTD) board approved a historic $1.2 billion budget for transit operating expenses, reports Bruce Finley in The Denver Post.
The agency is also introducing a new tap system for fare collection and making fares free for youth. “RTD staffers say they’re counting on increased fare revenues in 2025 to cover costs of letting residents aged 19 and under ride for free,” Finley adds. Only around 4 percent of the agency’s costs are funded by fare revenue.
“RTD officials said in an email that the new budget will lead to increased service. Starting in January, agency supervisors plan to reinstate 15-minute train frequencies along the E Line and the H Line. They also plan to boost bus service between Denver International Airport and Boulder.” Ridership dropped sharply between 2019 (106 million rides) and 2023 (65 million rides), but the agency projects ridership will increase slightly in the next year.
FULL STORY: RTD board approves record $1.2 billion spending on public transit in 2025
New Colorado Fossil Fuel Fee Will Fund Transit
Lawmakers say the agreement prevents a drawn-out legislative battle and establishes a new source of transit funding.
Denver Transit Proposal Could Lower Fares, Make Transit Free for Youth
The agency released a draft plan to eliminate regional zones, make airport trips more affordable, and reduce fares systemwide.
Reduced Fares Available for Low-Income Transit Riders in the Denver Area
The LiVE program (short for "live you best life") offers 40 percent discounts on transit rides for qualifying riders.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie