The Denver Regional Transportation District's (RTD) income-based fare discount program LiVE has seen more then 4,600 people enroll since it launched in the summer of 2019.
Participation in the program has risen since the beginning of this year, with an average of 220 applications approved each week during the past eight weeks.
The LiVE Program provides a 40 percent discount to riders ages 20 to 64 who live in the Denver RTD district and whose gross household incomes are at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
“While the LiVE Program just began in July, it’s been affirming for me to watch as a growing number of people learn about and are approved for this important benefit,” said Denver RTD Board Chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede. “LiVE provides the public with greater access to opportunity, and it has been made possible through relationships across the community. For anyone interested in this program, there are a lot of resources available to help you apply and to answer your questions.”
All Denver RTD customers interested in receiving the discounted fare must qualify and enroll in the LiVE Program through Colorado PEAK, the state’s benefits website. The application is available in English and Spanish. A link to PEAK is also available on RTD’s LiVE Program webpage, which includes reference documents in both languages and contact information where the public can direct their questions.
All applicants will need to upload a current color photo of themselves using a computer or mobile device. Applicants who are not already enrolled in certain medical, cash or food assistance programs must also upload images of documents that verify Regional Transportation District 1660 Blake Street Denver, CO 80202 720.326.7311 Media Line income. Approved applicants will receive a LiVE Program eligibility card by postal mail.
Once enrolled in the program, Denver RTD riders must carry and show two items to receive the discount: the LiVE Program eligibility card, plus any of the following forms of fare media: a LiVE MyRide card, a LiVE mobile ticket (three-hour or day pass) or a LiVE ticket issued by a nonprofit agency. LiVE Program eligibility cards are valid for a year from the date of approval, and qualifying riders can reapply each year through the PEAK website.
Because LiVE is a new program, Denver RTD says it has asked for and has appreciated the public feedback it has received, which is leading to program adjustments. Groups providing comments include customers, Denver Human Services, governmental and nonprofit agencies, homeless service providers and correctional institutions. All LiVE Program users will be formally surveyed about their experience later this year.
Denver RTD’s Board of Directors approved the creation of an income-based fare discount program in September 2018, following a yearlong review of Denver RTD’s fare structure and pass programs by a 25-member working group convened at the request of the public and by direction of the board. Denver RTD staff worked in partnership with the Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology and Denver Human Services to complete all of the technical and logistical details necessary to launch the LiVE Program for public enrollment 10 months later, on July 29, 2019.
