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Huge Turnout Expected To Protest At Final Vote On RTD Rate Hike Proposal

DENVER (CBS4) - A final vote could mean a rate hike for anyone who uses Regional Transportation District buses or light rail.

A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the RTD administrative offices located at 1600 Blake Street in Denver where that vote will take place. The meeting is open to public comment.

RELATED: RTD Considers Revisions To Fare Changes

Local fares could increase to $2.60. Longer distance regional and express fares could go up to $4.50.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the meeting to protest the rate hike. 9to5 Colorado, a low-income advocacy group against RTD's new proposal, says that if fares must be raised to cover costs, that board members need to consider low-income families, who according to the Colorado Fiscal Institute, make up half of all RTD riders.

"Despite multiple efforts by local organizations urging RTD to include a low-income pass in its fare proposal, board members hinted at a hearing last week that the increase will likely pass, with one board member stating it is not RTD's job to make things affordable for "income challenged people," 9to5 Colorado said in a statement released on Tuesday.

9to5 Colorado said that "five organizations presented more than 1,000 petitions to the board members last week."

RELATED: RTD Riders Call Proposed Rate Hike 'Unaffordable'

"We need RTD to provide options that are actually affordable for all communities instead of creating more barriers to quality schools, health care, jobs, and so much more," the petition reads.

Along with 9to5 Colorado, other groups that oppose the hike include Rights for All People, Jobs with Justice, Denver Homeless Outloud, Praxus and Community Enterprise.

If approved the changes could take effect next year.

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