RTD Light Rail Monthly Pass -- Any way to get it cheaper? (Denver: 2014, transfer)

[Robert5]

Originally Posted by JakeEvan

I just moved to Denver and am about to sign a lease an apartment complex right next to the light rail's Alameda Station, which will get me to the DTC where I work in 24 minutes. Even though the light rail is convenient and I can relax and read on it during my commute, it is expensive -- $140 for the monthly pass, since I have to buy the "express" version to get me from zone A to zone C.

I assume you mean the I25/Alameda station, and not the I225/Alameda station they are planning. You don't need to make any transfers, and it is not that long of trip to DTC, so it is odd that you have to pay a premium for that trip.

Honesty it sound like the 40 trip pass would work out cheaper most of the time.

Please enlighten me. I don't use light rail that often, but when I do, I never see anyone check tickets. If someone buys a 40 trip pass, how does that work, do you have to go to the ticket kiosk and exchange a pass for a ticket for that specific trip? If so that seems like a large pain

[JakeEvan]

Originally Posted by Robert5

I assume you mean the I25/Alameda station, and not the I225/Alameda station they are planning. You don't need to make any transfers, and it is not that long of trip to DTC, so it is odd that you have to pay a premium for that trip.

Yes, the I25/Alameda station. Odd, but true, that station is zone A and Dry Creek (DTC station) is zone C. For 3 zones, you need the express pass.

[NoDoubt1993]

If you aren't driving your car to work you should be able to get a lower rate for auto insurance (we do with USAA).

[AmFest]

Originally Posted by cowboyxjon

I think location of the office may have something to do with it; I've worked for two employers in Denver within the last ~9 years and both of them offered subsidized EcoPasses, but both were also downtown and in both cases, nearly 80% of my co-workers used the benefit.

DTC is probably a little difference since it's easier to drive and park.

Do you know how much the EcoPass costs in total? What is the typical share of the employee for that cost?

[blackmet]

Originally Posted by Robert5

Please enlighten me. I don't use light rail that often, but when I do, I never see anyone check tickets. If someone buys a 40 trip pass, how does that work, do you have to go to the ticket kiosk and exchange a pass for a ticket for that specific trip? If so that seems like a large pain

You validate it for the trip at the validation machine on the platform. It stamps the ticket.

If you hop a bus to the rail first, you put the ticket in where the fare goes then ask for an express or regional transfer.

[cowboyxjon]

Originally Posted by AmFest

Do you know how much the EcoPass costs in total? What is the typical share of the employee for that cost?

At my first employer in Denver, they covered the entire cost of the EcoPass. I want to say the actual cost might be close to $300/month, but I can't find any documentation to back that up.

My current employer covers most of the cost, but not all. I pay about $32/month and I believe it's pre-tax, as the cost is deducted from my paycheck.

[TechMike]

My last employer did not pay any portion of the EcoPass. I paid $36/mo for mine. RTD used to publish the EcoPass pricing on their website, but doesn't look like it anymore. The pricing varies based on the location of work and number of employees, if I recall.

My current employer completely pays for my EcoPass, so I don't know the pricing behind it at all.

ETA: Here's an archive of the EcoPass pricing from 2011: https://web.archive.org/web/20101227..._pricing.shtml

Even at its most expensive (in 2011), that was $38~ per month. I'm sure the rates have gone up, but not a lot.

[hawkbill]

Originally Posted by alloo66

I'm surprised that companies don't have shuttles from the station to worksites. Oh well, maybe Denver's air isn't dirty enough yet.

There are in some locations. There is a shuttle that goes from Lincoln Station around to all the businesses on the Meridian Circle. I'm sure they have similar routes at some of the other tech center locations.

The problem with the tech center is that the majority of those businesses have their own free parking lots, so they aren't as likely to pay for the pass. Downtown businesses in my experience are much more likely to have some type of monthly parking/transit allowance.

If you buy a yearly pass i think you pay for 11 months vs 12 months. That could save you some money.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by TechMike

My last employer did not pay any portion of the EcoPass. I paid $36/mo for mine. RTD used to publish the EcoPass pricing on their website, but doesn't look like it anymore. The pricing varies based on the location of work and number of employees, if I recall.

My current employer completely pays for my EcoPass, so I don't know the pricing behind it at all.

ETA: Here's an archive of the EcoPass pricing from 2011: https://web.archive.org/web/20101227..._pricing.shtml

Even at its most expensive (in 2011), that was $38~ per month. I'm sure the rates have gone up, but not a lot.

RTD is good at hiding negative things on their web site. Those prices have gone up several times since that was published, and are going up again. Plus I don't think they really want to promote Eco Passes, even if the prices were good. RTD is desperate to shake down their customers, for as much as they can get, to pay for their FasTracks deficit.

EcoPass program for RTD riders to see price hike RTD board to take final vote next week on 18.3 percent price increase for businesses using pass

[TechMike]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

RTD is good at hiding negative things on their web site. Those prices have gone up several times since that was published, and are going up again. Plus I don't think they really want to promote Eco Passes, even if the prices were good. RTD is desperate to shake down their customers, for as much as they can get, to pay for their FasTracks deficit.

EcoPass program for RTD riders to see price hike RTD board to take final vote next week on 18.3 percent price increase for businesses using pass

Regardless, the EcoPass is still a huge bargain compared to RTD's other passes.