Transit providers around the world are progressively migrating from Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) systems employing traditional fare media (e.g. paper and magnetic stripe tickets) to state-of-the-art contactless smartcard systems. The introduction of this new technology provides a unique opportunity for transit agencies to review fares and ticketing policy and leverage the full functionality of these new ticketing systems. However, in general, it would seem that fares and ticketing policy is being addressed as an afterthought and the AFC procurement process continues to be technology rather than policy driven. The focus of this paper is fare structures and fare products, together with the influence that fare media, specifically contactless smartcard technology, has played in the development of transit fares policy. Issues associated with fare levels are a major research project in itself and there is an extensive economic literature that addresses mass transit fare levels. Fare levels are only considered to the extent that they impact on fare structure decisions. Key policy issues such as the case for subsidised transit fares are not considered. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214666.
Samenvatting