by Osman Parvez
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The following message came across my neighborhood email list last night. The program as it exists now is clearly being challenged. I thought it important enough to share with blog readers. If you care about keeping the neighborhood EcoPass program, I recommend you attend the meeting tonight.
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Hello Neighbors,

I wanted to let all of you know that there are some interesting changes brewing for the EcoPass Program and how you can be involved in shaping these changes.

Proposed changes are:

*A 14 percent increase (consistent with the increase in all RTD fares) and an additional 5 percent increase (based on the numbers they have collected for increased ridership in 2008) in the price of all Eco Passes and Neighborhood Passes;
*A $5.00 surcharge for rides to DIA for those who are using an Eco Pass or Neighborhood Pass;
*A new proposal that significantly increases the price small businesses pay for the Eco Pass in 2009, with an even bigger jump in 2010 and,

*Another new recommendation for the Neighborhood Pass program, beyond the originally proposed moratorium (no new neighborhoods will be allowed to join the EcoPass Program after this year), to eliminate the Neighborhood Pass Progam entirely in 2010.

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