RTD Panel Advances Study on Higher Airport Fares
A committee voted 4 to 2 to examine raising the A-Line airport fare from $10 to as much as $14.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Air Travel
Live Poll
Should RTD raise the A-Line airport fare from $10 to $14?
Regional Transportation District (RTD) committee members voted 4 to 2 on Tuesday night to advance a study on raising the A-Line airport fare from $10 to up to $14. The full RTD board is scheduled to vote on the study December 1.
Why it matters
Airport fares make up about 25% of RTD's total fare revenue, roughly $15 million, and the agency is looking for more revenue amid budget concerns. Riders who use the A-Line to Denver International Airport could face higher costs if the increase is approved.
The current A-Line airport fare is $10, and staff estimate an increase could add $2 million to $6 million annually to RTD's roughly $15 million in airport fare revenue. Whether the fare rises to $14 depends on the full board's December 1 vote and the study's findings on rider impact.
The players
Regional Transportation District (RTD)
RTD is the public transit agency serving the Denver metropolitan area, operating bus and rail lines including the A-Line to Denver International Airport.
Chris Nicholson
Chris Nicholson is the District A director on the RTD board who proposed including a group discount option to make airport fares competitive with rideshare services.
Jack Kroll
Jack Kroll is an RTD official who took part in the discussion of the airport fare proposal.
The details
RTD committee members voted to move forward with a study examining the fare proposal, and District A director Chris Nicholson proposed including a possible group discount to keep the fare competitive with rideshare apps. Staff say demand is expected to remain steady despite the price change, and RTD will review the impact on riders before deciding whether to raise fares.
Timeline
Tuesday night: RTD committee voted 4 to 2 to advance the fare study.
December 1: The full RTD board is scheduled to vote on the study.
May or June of next year: Earliest possible effective date of any fare increase.
Travel Outlook
The proposed increase would still leave the A-Line well below the $45 Uber fare to the airport, though a group discount is being considered to keep transit competitive. Airport parking in the economy lot already costs $20 per day, which factors into how travelers weigh their options.
Travelers using the A-Line should expect the fare to stay at $10 for now, with any increase to $14 not possible before May or June of next year. Riders comparing options should factor in the $20 daily economy parking rate and the $45 Uber fare when planning airport trips.
The takeaway
Any fare change is still pending a full board vote, so riders planning airport trips should check RTD's updated fares before committing to a travel plan. The outcome will show how transit agencies balance revenue needs against rider costs.
What happens next
The full RTD board will vote on the fare study December 1, and any fare increase could not take effect until May or June of next year.
Further reading
For more on getting to the airport, see Air Travel coverage for Denver.
Live Poll
Should RTD raise the A-Line airport fare from $10 to $14?
