Frequently Asked Questions About the Eco Pass

What is an Eco Pass?

The Eco Pass is an annual bus pass. The pass is good on all RTD services (except special services like Rockies or BroncosRide), including all local and regional buses such as Light Rail, the "N" to Eldora Mountain Resort, SkyRide to DIA and Boulder’s own Community Transit Network of HOP, SKIP, JUMP, BOUND, DASH, STAMPEDE and BOLT buses.

How Can I Get An Eco Pass?

You can only get a Neighborhood Eco Pass if your block qualifies. To qualify, your block must raise a certain amount of money based on an average per household contribution (please see RTD Economics, below) and sign a Neighborhood Eco Pass Contract with RTD.

How does RTD determine Eco Pass prices?

RTD Eco Pass Economics

To qualify for RTD’s Neighborhood Eco Pass Program, a neighborhood “block” must meet one geographic criterion and two financial thresholds:

1) Houses in the block must be “contiguous”, defined as an area of land bounded on all sides by streets, roads, or one or more geographic or physical features, e.g. water, open space, railroad tracks.

2) The block must raise a minimum contract amount of $5600.

3) The block must raise an actual contract amount equal to the number of houses in the block multiplied by the per household price for that zone.

RTD has three pricing zones for Boulder, and Martin Acres falls into Pricing Zone 3, which requires an average household contribution of $143 to participate in the program.

On a theoretical block in which each household contributes the average amount of $143, it would require ~39 houses (=$5600/$143 per house) to reach “critical mass” for that block to sign an Eco Pass contract with RTD. A block with 45 houses would need to raise $6435 (= 45 houses * $143/house).

As a practical example, Martin Acres Region 3 is comprised of 93 houses, so last year its contract amount was approximately $11,900; in reality, the amount was a little less due to a credit from RTD strike. At $143/house, this year’s contract amount will be $13,300.

Economics in the real world:

Many blocks simply do not have “critical mass” to qualify for the Eco Pass program because there are not enough “contiguous” houses. So, unless a few major donors on the block want to underwrite the $5000 contract minimum, it’s just not feasible for that block to qualify.

When counting houses on a block, RTD does not take into account households that already have Eco Passes from another source. On blocks with large student populations, this means the financial burden must be spread over a significantly lower number of households.

On the positive side, GO Boulder offers a 50% subsidy for new Eco Pass blocks and an on-going 30% subsidy for existing blocks. For example, last year, GO Boulder paid approximately $3570 toward District 3’s contract, leaving $8330 for the block to raise. This year, it will contribute almost $4000 (30% of $13,300) to help the district qualify again.

Go Boulder has also put together an impressive list of local merchants who offer discounts to all Eco Pass holders. The complete list can be found here. Beyond that, PettiJohn’s Liquor and Baseline Liquor offer a 10% discount specifically to Martin Acres Eco Pass Holders

How Are Martin Acres Pass Prices Set?

In general, Martin Acres Pass prices are set at 50% of RTD’s normal prices based on their discounted monthly pass rates. The Non-Commuter pass price assumes that you ride the bus locally an average of once a month, and take a couple regional trips (e.g. to Denver or Nederland/Eldora) and to DIA (Sky Ride). Senior Non-Commuters receive a 50% discount off the regular Non-Commuter pass price.

While everyone would prefer to pay less rather than more for their pass, we count on neighbors to calculate their bus ridership honestly and contribute accordingly. That is the only way that we can offset the fact that many households do not participate in the program even though RTD still considers them part of the block and requires us to pay for them.

I’m a CU student, why should I get a Martin Acres pass?

Several reasons, monetary and otherwise:

1) It’s a better deal! For $90 you get a pass that’s good for the entire year and includes discounts at local retailers. CU’s pass costs $54/semester and is only good for that semester. Note that you CAN get your student Eco Pass fee refunded by going to the Bursar’s Office, showing them that you already have a pass, and requesting that they remove the charge from your bill.

2) Did we mention discounts at local stores?!? GO Boulder has recruited a large number of area merchants willing to cut you a deal just for flashing you bus pass. A complete list can be found here. Beyond that, Pettijohn’s and Baseline Liquor both offer 10% to Martin Acres Eco Pass holders.

3) You help out your neighbors & promote goodwill! One of the reasons Martin Acres has such a tough time qualifying for the Ecopass Program is the large number of students living in the neighborhood. RTD requires us to pay for your house ($143) regardless of whether you buy your pass from us or not. That means that neighbors have to take up the financial slack for houses that don’t participate. On many blocks that gap is just too large, the block does not qualify, and no one gets a pass, except, of course the CU students who already have them.


I Never Ride the Bus…Why Should I Participate in the Neighborhood Eco Pass Program?

First and foremost, you’re helping your neighbors and the environment. Since RTD charges for houses on a block whether or not they get passes, the more houses that participate in the program, the better chance a block has to qualify. This enables your neighbors who do want a pass to get one and ride the bus more. Research has shown that once NECO passes are distributed, bus ridership increases by 50 percent. When your neighbors drive less that equates to less congestion and pollution for everyone!

And then there are the discounts: GO Boulder has recruited a large number of area merchants who offer discounts to Boulder’s Eco Pass Holders. A complete list can be found here. And two of our local spirit suppliers--Pettijohn’s Liquor and Baseline Liquor-- both offer 10% off regularly priced items to Martin Acres Eco Pass holders.