TRB/APTA 2004
Bus Rapid Transit Conference
Implementing a BRT Project:
The Preliminary Steps
8:30 – 9:50 a.m.
Frank Spielberg
BMI-SG
Incoming Chair, TRB Bus Transit Systems Committee
(Moderator)
TRB/APTA 2004
Bus Rapid Transit Conference
Session Presentations
• “MAX, Transit for Today”, June Devoll
• “BRT Vehicle Selection Concepts”, Fred Silver
• “Implementing BRT, Fare Collection”,
Roderick Diaz and Jeff Klompus
TRB/APTA 2004
Bus Rapid Transit Conference
Roderick Diaz
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and a Master of City Planning from the University of California at Berkeley
• Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton in Los Angeles, CA
• Last 6 years have included a focus on planning, designing, and implementing BRT
• Takes pride in being one of a handful of people in the world who have personally visited
and analyzed bus rapid transit systems on at least 4 continents across the globe
Jeffrey Klompus
• Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton
• Deputy Project Manager for the LACMTA Universal Fare System (UFS) Project
• Manages a team in the technical oversight of the prime contractor and works closely
with the client during development, production, installation, and warranty of a new fare
collection system implementation
PRESENTATION
Implementing BRT:
Fare Collection
Roderick Diaz
Jeffrey Klompus
Denver, CO
6 May 2004
TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference
Today we will…
 Discuss the role of fare collection in transit and in BRT
 Present relevant examples of innovation in fare collection for BRT
systems
 Summarize the primary decision variables in fare collection
system planning
 Cite issues for fare collection implementation
5
Fare Collection Can Have a Significant Impact on Transit
Service Quality
Congestion
Moving
Turn Delays
Traffic
Signal Delay
PASSENGER
STOPS
Dwell Time Comprises Roughly ¼ of Time that Passengers
Spend in On-Road Transit. Fare Collection Drives the Dwell
Time Length
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BRT System Innovations Have Focused on Reducing Delays
at Stations
 Barrier-Enforced Pre-Payment
– Example: Trolebus in Quito, Ecuador
 Proof-of-Payment
– Example: Transitway in Ottawa, Canada
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Quito’s Trolebus Combines Pre-payment of Fares and Level
Boarding to Facilitate Low Dwell Times
 Fare gates and ticket attendants guard the
entrance to stations
 Quito’s fare gates also process cash, tokens,
and magnetic tickets
 Passengers may enter and exit the buses
through all the open doors, similar to rail
service
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The Ottawa Transitway uses a Proof-of-Payment (Honour
Fare) system to facilitate boarding and alighting on articulated
buses
 Articulated buses are reserved for use on the most heavily
patronized lines
 Passengers paying with cash and tickets still board through the
front door to pay the farebox. Transfers are issued from a
device attached to the farebox
 Passengers using passes and transfers may board
through the second and third doors of the bus.
All doors open at every station before during the
entire day (before 7PM)
 Passengers caught evading fare payment must
pay a Super Fare (equivalent to the cost of a
monthly pass)
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New Technologies Bring New Options for BRT Fare Collection
ELECTRONIC
 Electronic vending machines distribute and verify FARE VENDING
fares directly to users
 Smart fare media expand the options for customizing
fares while keeping transactions simple for
passengers and operators
 Technologies work together seamlessly
ADVANCED
FAREBOXES
SMART CARDS
AND FARE
VALIDATORS
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There are Three Main Considerations in BRT and Fare
Collection
 Fare Collection Process – When and how do passengers pay their fares and how is
this payment verified and enforced?
 Fare Transaction Media – What kinds of media are accepted by the fare collection
system?
 Fare Structure – Are there different fares for different types of services?
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The Fare Collection Process is the Critical Issue with the Most
Significant Impact
 Greatest Impact on Service Quality and Dwell Time
PAY
ON-BOARD
 Defines the Customer Experience
 Key Options
– Pay On-Board
– Barrier System
– Barrier-Free (Proof-of-Payment) System
BARRIER-ENFORCED
ALL-DOOR BOARDING
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Fare Media Make Fare Transactions More User-Friendly
 Key options
– Cash (Coins, Bills, Tokens) and Pre-paid Instruments
(Flash Passes, Transfers, Tickets) – Traditional solution
implemented on most on the road transit systems
– Magnetic Stripe Media – robust technology, limited
applications
– Smart Cards – increasingly being deployed by transit
agencies, offer numerous options for fare structure
 Impacts on process
– Distribution
– Reliability
– Fraud
– Safety and security of personnel
– Branding and targeted marketing
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The Fare Structure Defines How Closely Fares Relate to
Service Types
 Captures value for the transit agency when passengers are willing to pay for different
levels of service
 Two Major Types
– Flat – simplest, requires less monitoring, enforcement, and administration
– Differentiated
• Zone
• Distance
• Service Type
SIMPLE
CUSTOMIZED
TO MARKETS
• Time of Day
• Day of Week
• Discounts & Incentives
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Introduction of New Fare Systems Can Transform
Systemwide Revenue Collection
 Electronic fare technology requires significant changes in support infrastructure and
business practices
Abcde
 Benefits are
strongest with
higher market
penetration of fare
media
Metrocard Device
Metrocard
Computer
TVM
Network
Computers
Smart card
Computer
Smart Card Device
Clearinghouse
Optional data
through probe if
farebox integrated
$
Farebox
Computer
Farebox
Agency
Computer
Managing
Host
Computer
Control
Functions
only
Bus Devices: All
devices on board bus
carry data, and
transmit separately
to computer
Garage
Computers
Reconciliation and Reporting System
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Fare Collection Systems Present Important Issues to
Consider for Implementation
 Integration with Other Modes – Is the BRT fare system integrated or distinct from
other modes?
 Revenue Processing – How should business processes be refined in response to fare
collection system enhancements?
 Fare Enforcement – What is the optimum balance of fare enforcement and security to
minimize fraud and costs?
 Marketing – How can the fare collection system be designed to enable a transit
agency to reach its customers?
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There are Many Opportunities and Benefits of Evolving Your
Fare Collection System with BRT
 Data Collection to Support Planning – Records of fare payment patterns help business
processes such as planning, marketing, revenue, and customer service
 Synergies with Other Functions – Benefits transfer to other purposes
– Parking
– Financial services
– Paratransit
– Bicycle lockers
– Building access
 Regional solutions – Seamless transfers broadens a passengers regional reach
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