TRB/APTA 2004 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Implementing a BRT Project: The Preliminary Steps 8:30 – 9:50 a.m. Frank SpielbergBMI-SG Incoming Chair, TRB Bus Transit Systems Committee (Moderator)

TRB/APTA 2004 Bus Rapid Transit Conference “MAX, Transit for Today”, June Devoll “BRT Vehicle Selection Concepts”, Fred Silver “Implementing BRT, Fare Collection”, Roderick Diaz and Jeff Klompus Session Presentations

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

TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference Roderick Diaz Jeffrey Klompus Denver, CO 6 May 2004 PRESENTATION Implementing BRT: Fare Collection

5 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

6 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference Fare Collection Can Have a Significant Impact on Transit Service Quality Moving PASSENGER STOPS Traffic Signal Delay Turn Delays Congestion Dwell Time Comprises Roughly ¼ of Time that Passengers Spend in On-Road Transit. Fare Collection Drives the Dwell Time Length

7 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference 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

8 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference 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

9 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference 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)

10 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference New Technologies Bring New Options for BRT Fare Collection  Electronic vending machines distribute and verify 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 ELECTRONIC FARE VENDING SMART CARDS AND FARE VALIDATORS ADVANCED FAREBOXES

11 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference 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?

12 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference The Fare Collection Process is the Critical Issue with the Most Significant Impact  Greatest Impact on Service Quality and Dwell Time  Defines the Customer Experience  Key Options –Pay On-Board –Barrier System –Barrier-Free (Proof-of-Payment) System PAY ON-BOARD BARRIER-ENFORCED ALL-DOOR BOARDING

13 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference 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

14 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference 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 Time of Day Day of Week Discounts & Incentives SIMPLE CUSTOMIZED TO MARKETS

15 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference Introduction of New Fare Systems Can Transform Systemwide Revenue Collection  Electronic fare technology requires significant changes in support infrastructure and business practices  Benefits are strongest with higher market penetration of fare media

16 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference 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?

17 TRB / APTA Bus Rapid Transit Conference 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