Colorado offers free transit fares in August as part of climate experiment - Axios DenverLog InLog InAxios Denver is an Axios company.

Colorado' s big transit experiment offers free fares in August

Passengers board an RTD bus in Denver. Photo: Hyoung Chang/Denver Post via Getty Images Colorado launches a grand experiment Monday to pull cars from the road and reduce air pollution. Driving the news: across the state — including RTD in Denver — will offer free rides for the month of August. It's the beginning of that will annually.In addition, the state's Bustang service is cutting fares by half through Sept. 5. Of note: The program intends to alleviate ground-level ozone pollution created by car and industrial exhaust in the hot summer sun. Colorado's worst months are June through August. Why it matters: Transit advocates say it's the largest zero-fare transit program in the nation, with the agencies involved averaging 5.8 million trips a month. Yes, but: Whether the program will boost ridership — and convert people permanently to transit — is a .The outlook is particularly gloomy for the Regional Transit District, which covers seven metro counties. RTD is in the middle of that will focus on transit routes in Denver and not the suburbs. Boulder, which pays into the service, is already . Our thought bubble: The high ticket prices for RTD light rail trips to the airport typically make it cheaper for a Denver-area family to drive and park.Now, with free fares, the light rail may finally be worth it. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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