Does the RTD Monthly Pass Make Fiscal Sense to Anyone? (Denver: insurance, school)

[Z3N1TH 0N3]

The montly RTD passes range from $80 to $180 (approximate values; depending on which region you're in).

Even if I drove on a daily basis to work and for pleasure, gas for me would only cost about $75/month. Plus, you can factor in the convenience factor (usually quicker, no waiting around, less cramped, etc.).

Do you guys feel the RTD monthly passes are a bit steep? If so, what would you consider a more reasonable price range?

I'm thinking along the lines of $50-$125 would be more cost efficient for consumers. Anyone agree?

Edited to add: Does it make sense to anyone who already owns a vehicle?

[chilicheesefries]

You have to do the cost/benefit analysis to see. I agree they don't make the most sense for an individual. Where they do begin to make sense if when a company gets them at a discount and gives them to their employees. I would use one if my company gave me one.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

If you are commuting to work downtown, you must factor in parking. I was paying $160/month at 17th and Market.

[Z3N1TH 0N3]

Originally Posted by chilicheesefries

You have to do the cost/benefit analysis to see. I agree they don't make the most sense for an individual. Where they do begin to make sense if when a company gets them at a discount and gives them to their employees. I would use one if my company gave me one.

Same here. I thought about getting a pass, but with my current expenses in gas and auto insurance, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If I didn't have a car OTOH, it might make more sense to me.

[DenverLawGal]

I have an eco pass from work - I pay $25 per month for it.

I think it's a steal as I commute to downtown. Our bldg. charges $200+ for parking. That and the absolutely dreaded I-25 commute for me, the wear and tear on my car, outweigh the convenience factor.

One other thing, my husband drives an hour each way and for him, the convenience of a bus is a sanity factor. The stress of driving in traffic is completely alleviated.

[Z3N1TH 0N3]

Originally Posted by DenverLawGal

I have an eco pass from work - I pay $25 per month for it.

I think it's a steal as I commute to downtown. Our bldg. charges $200+ for parking. That and the absolutely dreaded I-25 commute for me, the wear and tear on my car, outweigh the convenience factor.

One other thing, my husband drives an hour each way and for him, the convenience of a bus is a sanity factor. The stress of driving in traffic is completely alleviated.

For $25/month, that is a steal.

[vegaspilgrim]

True cost of driving is WAYyyyyy more than just the cost of gas. For example, the current IRS mileage reimbursement rate is set at 55.5 cents per mile.

That said, I do agree with you that the RTD passes are high. And the cost of light rail trips is extremely high too compared to most cities' transit systems.

[TechMike]

Calculate the cost of parking if you have to pay for it, and the cost of it make more sense.

I do agree though, they'd get a lot more bites on the passes if they would have a lower price.

I'm fortunate my bus pass costs me $34/mo.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by Z3N1TH 0N3

The montly RTD passes range from $80 to $180 (approximate values; depending on which region you're in).

Even if I drove on a daily basis to work and for pleasure, gas for me would only cost about $75/month. Plus, you can factor in the convenience factor (usually quicker, no waiting around, less cramped, etc.).

Do you guys feel the RTD monthly passes are a bit steep? If so, what would you consider a more reasonable price range?

I'm thinking along the lines of $50-$125 would be more cost efficient for consumers. Anyone agree?

Edited to add: Does it make sense to anyone who already owns a vehicle?

I agree 100%. Honestly what RTD has become, makes me glad I no longer live in Denver and have to rely on it. When I was in school and was dependent on RTD to get to school and my job, the service was fantastic. There wasn't any fancy light rail, but the busses were reliable and frequent, and best of all it was dirt cheap (even completely free for one year).

That same $80 pass you are talking about, costed me as little as $10 a month. The bus that I rode when I was in school ran every 10 min. According to RTDs online schedules that same bus today runs only every 30 min. Thats a 66% reduction in service, with a 800% increase in the cost of a pass in just 35 years. Even adjusted for inflation, thats way out of whack. And who cares about light rail if you can't afford to ride it.

RTD has become just a boutique niche transit system designed to get yuppies to work in style on fancy trains that are not even any faster then the busses they replaced.

[choosing78]

So are you saying 34 years ago a bus pass was cheaper? Wow I can't believe it.