G-Line To Charge Fares: RTD

ARVADA, CO – The free rides are over. The Regional Transportation District will begin collecting fares on the new G-Line starting on Sunday, May 12, the agency said.

Residents and joy-riders were able to take the new commuter line free for two weeks, beginning with its grand opening on April 26.

RTD said the free service let people experience the line and see how it connected with other RTD transportation modes. The free rides were also provided "in appreciation of your patience" for the three-year delay in getting the line open.

RTD Fares

Starting Sunday, traveling any length of the G Line will require a that riders pay for a "local fare," which costs $3. An upgrade to a regional fare, at $5.25, is needed for transfers to additional zones, RTD said. Any trip starting or ending at Denver International Airport costs $10.50. Airport trips are also included in the regional day pass.

Seniors (65 and older), individuals with disabilities and Medicare recipients can qualify for half-fare discounts with proof of eligibility.

Passengers can pay with a mobile ticket through the RTD Mobile Ticketing app, on smartphones. More details are at http://www.rtd-denver.com/Fares.shtml.

Free Parking in Olde Town for foreseeable future.

The seven new stations along the G Line offer 2,300 new parking spaces, the agency said. RTD will post notices for 90 days before collecting parking fees. In Olde Town Arvada, the station is managed by the city, which has not yet determined when parking fees will apply past the first 90 days, the agency said.

RTD will continue to operate existing bus routes in the area until August, when new schedules will be put in place.

Quiet Zones

After months of intermittent train horns, the G Line installed quiet zones along the entirety of the line. But horns will still be used in emergency situations or if maintenance workers, pedestrians or vehicles are on or near the tracks. They will also sound if there are issues with gate timing at any of the G Line’s 16 crossings, or if a train is running on auto-control.