RTD Plans Fare Hike Ending Free Disability Rides Across Colorado Service Area

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver is considering significant changes to its Access-on-Demand program, which provides free rides for people with disabilities via ride-share services like Lyft and Uber. Due to rising costs, RTD proposes introducing a base fare of $6.50 per ride, reducing the subsidy cap from $25 to $20, and ending 24/7 service availability, sparking backlash from users who rely on the service for employment, medical appointments, and daily activities. Disability rights activists and riders argue these changes threaten their independence and freedom, emphasizing the program's crucial role since its launch in 2020. Similar concerns about accessible transportation challenges are echoed in Washington, DC, where a longtime wheelchair user describes a decline in accessible transit options over the past decade, including unreliable elevator service and less accessible taxis. Meanwhile, a UK campaign group is pushing for relaxation of restrictive time limits on bus passes for disabled people, highlighting inconsistencies in local policies and the resulting impact on disabled passengers' mobility. These developments underscore ongoing struggles to balance cost control with maintaining essential, accessible transportation for people with disabilities.