Rep. Riesberg Rides RTD for Free While Others Pay

"Isn't that a form of stealing?" asks one constituent
Face the State Staff Report

State Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, has admitted that he has ridden RTD busses for years without ever paying a cent. Critics are dubbing him "Free Ride Riesberg."

“Everyone rides for free," Riesberg announced in a March 31st house debate. "I’ve had an RTD ticket in my pocket for years and it’s never been punched and I’ve never had to buy a second one." The legislator's remarks came in a state House debate over Senate Bill 88, which would allow financially-strapped RTD to charge for parking at select park-n-ride locations.

Based on the transit authority's own analysis, less than five out of every 100 RTD riders do not pay their required fares. Periodically, RTD gathers teams of fare inspectors to conduct sweeps of trains and stations checking each passenger for valid tickets. Based on RTD’s 2005 and 2006 sweeps, as reported in the Denver Post, less than five percent of rides attempted to ride for free. Rep. Jim Riesberg is, of course, part of the five percent of scofflaws.

Riesberg's free ride revelation comes at the same time that RTD expects to experience massive budget shortfalls: more than $1 billion for its FasTracks light rail system and about $1.6 billion for its current rail and bus system. Bus and rail rider revenue constitutes nearly 20 percent of RTD's operating budget, according to a report in the Rocky Mountain News.

Post editorial writer Dan Haley first identified Riesberg’s confession. The audio and a transcription are available on Haley’s blog. Haley posted a message to Riesberg. "Well, not everyone rides for free," wrote Haley. "I've been paying $2.50--each way--for years. I'm guessing most people do. Maybe if Rep. Riesberg validated his ticket at the station and then purchased a new one whenever he hopped on light rail, RTD wouldn't need to charge for parking."

According to RTD, the first time a rider is unable to produce a valid ticket, he or she receives a warning. A second violation, however, could mean a $30 fine plus court costs. While Riesberg didn't identify how many times he has failed to pay his fare, if the lawmaker rode free twice a month for the last three years of his legislative terms, at minimum he owes taxpayers $2,100 in fares, penalties, and court costs.

"Isn't this a form of stealing?" asked Melissa Burgess, one of Riesberg's constituents. “I realize it’s an honor system but it’s down right dishonorable to not pay and let taxpayers foot the bill.”