DENVER — Colorado rail transit passengers are apparently a pretty honest group.
The Denver-area Regional Transportation District, like many systems, uses honor-system ticketing, but performs random checks for tickets. In 2018, Colorado Public Radio reports, just 0.12 percent of those using RTD commuter trains were found to be evading fares. On the RTD’s light rail system, 1.67 million riders were checked, and 27.469, or about 1.6 percent, did not have a valid fare, according to an RTD report.
First-time fare evaders are given a warning and removed from the train; subsequent violations can draw a fine of up to $106.50 and be suspended from the system. More than 3,200 citations were issued in 2018.
The RTD estimates it loses about $850,000 annually from fare evasion. It has considered adding turnstiles and gates, but a 2011 study showed the equipment would cost $175 million to install and $16.7 million annually to operate.
