RTD-Denver: Fare Evasion Revealed After 5 Million Rail Checks

RTD-Denver combats fare evasion with 5 million checks, revealing 7.3% light-rail and 4% commuter-rail evasion. This boosts safety, ridership, and financial health in 2026.

January 23, 2026 11:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

RTD-Denver conducted nearly 5 million fare checks in 2025, revealing significant fare evasion.
The evasion rate was 7.3% on light-rail and 4.0% on commuter-rail services.
This enforcement is a key pillar of RTD’s 2026 strategy to improve safety and increase ridership.

DENVER, CO – Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) conducted nearly 5 million fare checks across its rail network in 2025, uncovering evasion rates of 7.3% on light-rail and 4% on commuter-rail. The increased enforcement, which resulted in over 208,000 recovered fares, is part of a broader strategic plan to enhance customer safety and boost ridership in 2026.

Category	Specification / Detail
Initiative	Fare Enforcement & Security Increase
Operator	Regional Transportation District-Denver (RTD)
Timeframe	Calendar Year 2025
Total Fare Checks	Approx. 5,000,000
Light-Rail Evasion Rate	7.3% (from 591,000 checks)
Commuter-Rail Evasion Rate	4.0% (from 4,200,000+ checks)
Enforcement Actions (2025)	208,722 fares recovered; 14,664 warnings; 712 citations
Personnel Increase	105 new RTD police officers sworn in

Operational & Technical Details

The 2025 security surge was a direct implementation of RTD’s 2024 security plan. Agency police and contracted officers focused heavily on the commuter-rail system, conducting over 4.2 million checks. The light-rail system saw nearly 591,000 checks, but registered a substantially higher rate of non-payment.

Enforcement actions were tiered. Officers recovered fares from 208,722 passengers directly on the system. They also issued 14,664 warnings and 712 citations for non-compliance. To support continued efforts, RTD’s police force recently expanded with 105 new officers. The agency confirms that security presence and fare checks will increase further in 2026.

Market Impact Analysis

This data-driven enforcement is not merely a revenue recovery exercise. It is a foundational element of RTD’s strategic plan to reverse ridership declines and improve public perception. By creating a more secure and orderly environment, RTD aims to improve the overall customer experience.

This visible crackdown on fare evasion directly addresses public concerns about safety and fairness, which can be a barrier to attracting new and returning passengers. The success of this initiative is critical for the financial health of the agency, as improved ridership is a stated goal for strengthening its financial resources in 2026.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What were the results of the fare enforcement initiative?

In 2025, RTD found a 7.3% fare evasion rate on its light-rail system and a 4% rate on its commuter-rail system. This led to 208,722 recovered fares, 14,664 warnings, and 712 citations.

Is this a one-time initiative?

No. According to RTD, the security presence and fare checks will continue to increase in 2026, building on the current program.