RTD shuttle bus on Denver's 16th Street Mall. DUR spring 2015.

Today the Regional Transportation District (RTD) has announced that it will be seeking public input in its search of a new General Manager. RTD has formed the General Manager Executive Search Committee and is asking the public what they would like to see in the next General Manager. RTD serves the public transportation needs of the 8-county Denver metro area.

RTD has created a survey for the public that is available at: RTD General Manager survey.

The survey questions will not only capture information about the characteristics and professional skills desired in the next General Manager, but will also capture information on the operation of RTD as a whole.

“It’s important to the Board of Directors that we offer our community and RTD riders the opportunity to be involved in the General Manager search process,” said Chuck Sisk, RTD Board Chair. “This public input is one element we will consider as we choose the next leader of RTD.”

Phil Washington served as RTD's General Manager for 6 years. It was announced in March that he had accepted a position with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority – also known as LA Metro.

The Search Committee includes members of the RTD Board of Directors. This group is including input from political leaders, employees, stakeholders as well as the community to guide their decision in hiring the next General Manager.

The announcement of this community survey comes after the controversial May 26th RTD Board vote that approved a new fare structure which will include an increase in transit fares. According to RTD, this is the first fare hike in five years.

RTD has received criticism for the fare increase. In advance of the vote, citizens have organized public rallies. A concern voiced by residents is the fare hike will potentially put public transit out of reach of low-income people.

Tonight the governing board of the Regional Transportation District (RTD) approved a new fare structure which will include an increase in transit fares. According to RTD, this is the first fare hike in five years.

RTD light rail vehicles at Union Station, DUR spring 2015.

"For the past year and a half, RTD has been conducting a fare study with the intent of simplifying the fare structure and making it more equitable across the district. Extensive public input helped shape the fare structure.  Throughout the process, RTD solicited public input and hosted over a dozen public meetings as well as 16 formal public hearings this spring to give the public numerous opportunities to provide feedback on proposed fare structure changes. Through these meetings and hearings, plus online comments, voice mails, emails and comment cards, RTD received over 1,000 comments regarding the proposed fare structure," states RTD.

The new fare structure will take effect beginning New Year's Day 2016. RTD includes eight Denver metro area counties, which now totals 2.8 million people.

The new fare structure includes an increase in the price of a single-boarding fare for bus and rail by 15 percent from $2.25 to $2.60 for local trips. Monthly passes will increase from $79 to $99 for local fares.

Next year RTD plans to unveil a smart card system that can be used to store money towards transit fares. A similar technology is already in use in other cities such as Seattle. Passengers wave or tap their card on an electronic kiosk and the appropriate fare is automatically subtracted from the money that is stored on the card.

RTD has received criticism for the fare increase. In advance of the approval, citizens have organized public rallies. A concern voiced by residents is that the fare hike will potentially put public transit out of reach of low-income people.