HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 47, 2018CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
RESOLUTION NO. 47
Series of 2018
TITLE: A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDATION
TO CREATE RTD YOUTH AND LOW-INCOME PASSES AND
LOW INCOME PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES
WHEREAS, most students are transit dependent because they are either too
young to drive or do not have reliable transportation. Access to affordable, equitable RTD
youth transit passes would significantly improve mobility opportunities for them; and,
WHEREAS, a youth pass would be a tremendous benefit for Jeffco Public School
students because it would provide them with another transportation opportunity to get to
school; it would give students better access to amenities such as libraries, recreation
centers, swimming pools, and cultural facilities like museums and the zoo; and all youth
would have more affordable access to after-school and summer jobs; and,
WHEREAS, many communities have created a road map to provide youth or high
school students with free transit passes including Baltimore, MD; Fort Collins, CO; New
York, NY; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC, and Alameda County, CA; and,
WHEREAS, Jeffco Public School students would still be asked to spend a
significant amount of money for their RTD pass because even with the proposed 70%
discount a monthly local pass would cost youth $34, which is roughly $410 a year, and a
monthly regional pass would cost roughly $60, which is about $718 for the year; and,
WHEREAS, according to RTD's own consultants, there is no financial cost to RTD
in allowing children up to 12-years..;old to ride for free compared to the current RTD policy
that allows children 5 years ofage oryoungerto ride for free; and,
WHEREAS, Jeffco Public Schools have an average free and reduced lunch
percentage of 32% with several school communities over 80%. The proposed low-income
pass would have a positive impact for many families in our community because affordable
transit can significantly improve social and economic inclusion; and,
WHEREAS, the economic and social impact of the proposed RTD low-income and
youth passes would help bridge the growing economic gap between the wealthy and
under-resourced individuals, promote a fairer public transit system, and build a more
progressive region; and,
WHEREAS, individuals and families living below the poverty line should not be
subjected to additional undue hardship when unable to afford the bus fare required to
fulfill their basic human needs; and,
WHEREAS, affordable transit can have significant and positive implications for
social and economic inclusion for those with the lowest levels of mobility and income;
and,
WHEREAS, families and individuals can immediately feel the impact of lowering
the cost of transit by 50%, allowing them to increase their ability to realize economic
mobility and break the cycle of poverty; and,
WHEREAS, RTD is committed to a public process throughout the Pass Program
Working Group and should commit to further public input through the implementation
process; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed RTD low-income and youth passes and low-income
program for families would make the metro area a more equitable place to live and work
by ensuring that our public transportation system -and the economic opportunities it
provides -is both affordable and accessible to all.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Wheat
Ridge, Colorado, urges the Regional Transportation District Board of Directors to approve
the RTD Pass Program Working Group's recommendations to create a youth pass with
a 70% discount for youth ages 13 to 19 years for individual fares, day and monthly passes,
and provide free transit for youth 12 years of age and younger who are accompanied by
a fare-paying rider; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Wheat Ridge,
Colorado also urges the Regional Transportation District Board of Directors to approve
the creation of a low-income program with a 50% discount for those living at or below
185% of the Federal Poverty Level raising funds from new sources to help cover the cost
as recommend by most of the RTD Pass Program Working Group to support families in
Jeffco Public Schools.
DONE AND RESOLVED this 23rd day of July, 2018.
By: _!JJ-----4.r/ d-'.,<---..:..~--
Bud Starker, Mayor
ATTEST: