The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), the largest rural transit agency in the nation, announced in a news release on Wednesday a new pilot program offering free rides through the months of October and November — continuing their mission to evaluate the impact of a zero-fare system, advance regional climate goals, and expand transit access.

The “Zero Fare October & November,” program is set to kick off on Oct. 1 and run through Nov. 30, making every regional trip free of charge. 

“This is a great opportunity to make transit more accessible for everyone, while also advancing our sustainability goals, RFTA Chief Executive Officer Kurt Ravenschlag said in the release. “By removing fares temporarily, we hope to encourage new ridership, gather valuable data, and better understand how fare-free service will impact our system and region.”

All regional routes RFTA offers will be free through the two month trial, including all VelociRFTA BRT (Bus Rapid Transport), Roaring Fork Valley Local (L), and Hogback (HGB) trips. Tickets and service to Maroon Bells are not included in the program.
The program is announced with full backing from associate organizations like the Elected Officials Transportation Committee, the City of Aspen, and the City of Glenwood Springs — who jointly committed $550,000 to help offset lost fares. 

The program was meticulously researched and chosen to run through October and November because of a commonly seen drop in riders through the fall months. During the two month period, RFTA will take in and analyze data based on trends, park and ride usage, and customer feedback to guide future decisions.

The press release stated that RFTA Operators projected that staffing levels are well-prepared for the project and real-time dispatching systems will be used to monitor passenger loads across the system and distribute resources if needed. 

“October through November is the perfect time to pilot a program like this,” RFTA Chief Operating Officer David Pesnichak said in the release. “Our past data shows that ridership is typically lower during the fall season. Running Zero Fare October & November will allow us to see how fare-free services impact ridership and passenger capacities. This will both introduce new riders to RFTA regional services and remove any financial barriers to using transit.”

RFTAs regular ticket system will be reinstated on Dec. 1 and riders will be required to purchase tickets to be allowed to board. For more information about the Zero Fare October & November pilot program, transit information, or fares, visit RFTA.com or call the RFTA Customer Service 970-925-8484.