EXAMINING LIKELY CONSEQUENCES OF A NEW TRANSIT FARE POLICY

An evaluation model is presented for examining the likely consequences of implementing alternative transit fare policies. The model weights responses to on-board ridership survey responses based on disaggregate fare elasticity estimates in projecting future patronage levels and revenue income. Revenue and cost data associated with specific users' trips are also combined in comparing the farebox recovery levels among various categories of trip distance, time of day, and user demographics. The functional components of the model are described and its use is demonstrated. Fare, cost, and travel data from the Southern California Rapid Transit District are used to examine the current fare policy of the system. Uniform fares are found to be both inequitable and inefficient. Both distance-based and time-of-day fare scenarios are designed and tested in terms of their ability to correct some of the problems associated with flat fares. Finely graduated fares are found to be best suited for mitigating inequities, and stage fares seem to be a more cost-effective pricing strategy. As transit funding sources continue to shrink, it is imperative that analytic tools be developed for examining the full range of impacts of alternative fare systems.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1982/877/877-015.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=EXAMINING+LIKELY+CONSEQUENCES+OF+A+NEW+TRANSIT+FARE+POLICY&author=R.+Cervero&publication_year=1982
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309034655
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Public Transportation Planning and Development. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Cervero, Robert
• Publication Date: 1982

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 79-84
• Monograph Title: Urban public transportation planning issues
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 877
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Demographics; Distance based fares; Elasticity (Economics); Equity; Fares; Off peak periods; Pricing; Surveys
• Geographic Terms: Los Angeles (California)
• Old TRIS Terms: Off-peak
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00372421
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309034655
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 29 1983 12:00AM