Press Release

August 31, 1999

For Immediate Release

RTD STUDENT BUS PASS PILOT PROGRAM OFFERED AT FIVE DPS HIGH SCHOOLS

Students at Lincoln, Manual, Montbello, North and West high schools will be offered reduced-rate bus passes during the 1999-2000 school year.

The pilot program between the Regional Transportation District and Denver Public Schools will offers monthly passes for $15. Students who meet federal guidelines for free/reduced lunch may purchase the pass for $10. (The regular youth fare at RTD, for those between the ages of six and 21, is $21).

Students can purchase the passes at their school the first week of the month. The passes will be valid on all Denver local buses and light rail at any time.

The program is intended to introduce students to public transportation, assist students with commutes to school and after-school activities, promote attendance and retention and assist students who are attending non-neighborhood schools. The pilot program is the result of several months of discussion between the school district and RTD leadership.

The RTD pilot program does not impact bus transportation provided by DPS. DPS will continue to provide bus transportation to high school students who live 3 1/2 miles or more from their neighborhood school or for students who participate in a magnet school or special program.

Behind the effort to bring the idea to fruition are a variety of people at Denver Public Schools, the Regional Transportation District, the state Board of Education and a community group known as Action for a Better Community.

Gully Stanford (Colorado Board of Education) and Rita Montero (Denver Board of Education) played key roles. At RTD, Board Members Rick Garcia, David Rose, and Gloria Holliday also helped promote the plan, which was formally approved by RTD on July 20.

For more information, call DPS Public Information, 720-423-3414. For RTD route and schedule information, call RTD's Telephone Information Center at 303-299-6000.