Free RTD rides reduced Front Range air pollution in July and August. But is that enough?

The Regional Transportation District’s Zero Fare for Better Air Initiative

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) recently implemented the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative in an effort to reduce air pollution along the Front Range. This first-of-its-kind study conducted by RTD shows that more than 6 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions were eliminated during the promotion, which cost the district over $15 million.

Reducing Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

While the reduction of 6 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions is a significant achievement, it is only a fraction of the air pollution that Colorado aims to decrease. According to the state’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap, a reduction of 12.7 million tons in annual transportation emissions is targeted by 2030.

The Zero Fare for Better Air 2023 Evaluation report, released on Thursday, reveals that individuals who chose to ride RTD’s buses and trains in July and August contributed to a reduction of 145,393 vehicle miles traveled per day, totaling 9 million miles over the two-month period.

• This reduction in travel miles helped prevent the creation of ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant.

The Regional Air Quality Council, responsible for finding ways to reduce air pollution, collaborated with RTD officials to determine the extent of the reduction achieved during the two-month program. The council utilized a modeling formula employed by federal officials to measure transportation-related greenhouse gas and other emissions.

According to the report, the air council’s study concluded that 2,583 pounds of volatile organic compounds and 2,235 pounds of nitrous oxide were eliminated during the two-month period.

Importance of Eliminating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The elimination of greenhouse gas emissions is crucial in the nine-county region surrounding Denver, as the area currently fails to comply with federal air quality standards. Metro Denver and the northern Front Range are listed as being in serious violation of ozone standards by the Environmental Protection Agency, putting them under pressure to improve air quality conditions.

Poor air quality poses significant risks to human health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic lung conditions like asthma. Additionally, transportation-related pollution contributes to a brown haze that blankets the area and is one of the leading causes of climate change and global warming.

Mike Silverstein, the executive director of the air council, emphasized that increased use of public transportation reduces fuel production by the oil and gas industry, which in turn helps combat air pollution.

Impact on Crime and Security

The Zero Fare for Better Air evaluation also examined how increased ridership affected crime rates on RTD property. Prior to the program’s launch, train operators and bus drivers expressed concerns about potential security issues.

• The evaluation revealed a decrease in arrests and narcotics usage during the Zero Fare period compared to the average number of incidents throughout the rest of the year.
• However, there were increases in reports of criminal mischief/property damage, assaults, trespassing, and biohazard incidents.

RTD also reported a rise in security incidents, including interactions with disorderly individuals and those who were sick or impaired, during the two-month free fare period.

It is important to note that making year-to-year crime comparisons during the Zero Fare program is challenging due to recent changes in how RTD accounts for crime on its buses and trains.

Increased Ridership and Program Costs

This year, the Zero Fare program was extended to two months instead of one, resulting in a 10% increase in ridership. Over 6 million people took advantage of the free transportation, costing RTD $15.2 million in lost fares and other expenses such as marketing and surveys.

• The Colorado Energy Office provided a reimbursement of $13.9 million to help offset the lost fares.

This story was updated to correct the name of the Regional Air Quality Council executive director.

Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter.

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.