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RTD Half Fare Above 50% — and Active Members Ride Free

A veteran whose VA letter shows a service-connected disability over 50% rides all RTD bus and rail at the 50% discount fare. Active-duty members of every component — Guard and Reserves included — ride free in uniform or with an active ID.

Verified August 21, 2026

What this benefit is

A veteran whose VA letter shows a service-connected disability over 50% rides all RTD bus and rail at the 50% discount fare. Active-duty members of every component — Guard and Reserves included — ride free in uniform or with an active ID.

What it's worth: 50% discount fare on all RTD services with the disabled-veteran validation

  • Estimated for a commuter at the discount fare against full local fare; occasional riders save less.

Who is entitled to it

  • Your VA letter shows a service-connected disability over 50%.
  • You are in the Denver area, the RTD heartland.
  • RTD serves your area.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Submit a VA benefit letter stating the disability is over 50% service-connected, dated within the last year — that validates you into the discount fare category on every bus and train.
  2. 2The wording matters: the stated gate is OVER 50%, so a flat 50% rating does not meet it on its face — a 60% letter does.
  3. 3Separately, all active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves ride free — Class A or B uniform at boarding, or an active-duty military ID shown to the driver.
Form
Discount fare validation with VA benefit letter
File with
RTD, with the discount application
Documents you will need
va benefit summary letter
Periodic
Re-confirmed from time to time.
Worth knowingThe veteran route lands in the general disability discount tier rather than a dedicated veteran fare — the VA letter is simply one accepted validation. The active-duty free ride is the flagship veteran-adjacent treatment, and it has no discharge-status counterpart: a veteran out of service pays the discount fare at best.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.