Many people rely on public transportation as a vital element to connect to their jobs, education, and social lives; although change may be imminent for the citizens in Denver with disabilities. RTD’s “Access-On-Demand Program,” allows people with disabilities to ride on a subsidized trip with Uber or Lyft towards the Denver Metro area. The Board of Directors for the Regional Transportation District has proposed modifications for the Access-on-Demand program for 2026.
As they have steadily increased in the past, the trip fare for the upcoming year will now be four dollars and fifty cents. The initial price proposed was six dollars and fifty cents, but following further discussion the price was lowered to the cost it is now. Though the price is being marketed as a compromise between citizens and the Board of Directors, disabled RTD riders don’t see it that way. Originally, the fare was free of charge. Price increases were discussed during the Board of Directors meeting at RTD’s downtown headquarters in Denver at 1660 Blake Street. The Board of Directors found that the “Access-on-Demand program” was not sustainable enough to stay at a free price. This issue may make it more difficult for users to transport themselves to their destinations. A meeting was established in September to fully comprehend both sides of the situation.
According to Erin Daley, who represents the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, a base fare is acceptable and reasonable for this RTD program. However, the major increase in the current base fare seems “punitive,” especially for people who have disabilities and who are already struggling with jobs and sustainable income. Brittany Savage, a resident of Denver and an Access-on-Demand user, said, “Please don’t limit my freedom to be an independent person.” Many like Brittany rely on these subsidized trips to help meet their transportation needs. Others also believe that this is taking away their freedom to live independently, as many Denver citizens with disabilities are already struggling to do so under the income and support currently at their disposal. It’s apparent that there is a divide between the Board of Directors and the people of Denver who use the program that they provide. The discussion of price aside, many citizens with disabilities use Denver’s RTD transportation already. Approximately ten percent of people with disabilities use Denver’s public transportation under the Access-on-Demand program, which equates to roughly 62,500 people.
Some Access-on-Demand users already struggle to transport themselves outside of their houses. A woman with this exact problem expressed her opinions about the increase in the Access-On-Demand program and showed concern for her financial security. “I may have to ask my son to drive me from now on, as it’s going to become more difficult to transport myself independently.” This anonymous RTD rider was in her mid-50s, with a disability called muscular dystrophy, which impacts her movement, regardless of whether the RTD transportation was in discussion or not. As the price rises, it will continue to hinder Access-on-Demand users’ ability to transport themselves to their destinations.
