Businesses that offer commuting employees an EcoPass will be hit with an 18.3 percent price increase in 2016, under a proposal being considered by the Regional Transportation District.
The RTD board of directors Tuesday night decided against phasing in the price increase over two years. The board will take a final, formal vote on the EcoPass increase next week.
An EcoPass, purchased at work, allows employees unlimited rides on RTD buses and light rail.
Board members conceded that plenty of businesses will be stunned by the upward tick in their annual EcoPass contracts with RTD.
“I assure you, 18.3 percent will take many by surprise,” said board member Chuck Sisk.
Staff members said EcoPass contract prices have not gone up since 2011 and the per-employee price of an annual EcoPass is still comparable to providing a parking pass for two to five months.
Neighborhood EcoPasses are slated to go up by 13.3 percent.
EcoPass prices are based on four geographic areas in the Denver metro area. A company with up to 10 employees in downtown Denver could see its EcoPass contract go from $2,429 to $2,873 annually in 2016.
The price increase in the EcoPass program is part of RTD’s overhaul of the entire for buses and light rail. The new fares will be introduced next year.
Critics say the EcoPass plan is flawed because any price increase was supposed to be based on data gleaned from RTD’s Smart Card program, which has been limited in use.
Also, the public has had almost no opportunity to comment on the EcoPass increases, which affects more than 100,000 RTD riders and thousands of businesses.
“Allowing no meaningful opportunity for public input on an 18 percent fare increase that will affect over 100,000 RTD patrons is unacceptable,” said Audrey DeBarros, executive director of U.S. 36 Commuting Solutions, an advocacy group.
