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

TRB/APTA 2004Bus Rapid Transit Conference

Implementing a BRT Project: Implementing a BRT Project: The Preliminary StepsThe Preliminary Steps

8:30 – 9:50 a.m.8:30 – 9:50 a.m.

Frank SpielbergBMI-SGBMI-SG

Incoming Chair, TRB Bus Transit Systems CommitteeIncoming Chair, TRB Bus Transit Systems Committee

(Moderator)(Moderator)


• “MAX, Transit for Today”, June Devoll• “BRT Vehicle Selection Concepts”, Fred

Silver• “Implementing BRT, Fare Collection”,

Roderick Diaz and Jeff Klompus

Session Presentations


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 DiazJeffrey Klompus

Denver, CO6 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


Fare Collection Can Have a Significant Impact on Transit Service Quality

Moving

PASSENGERSTOPS

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


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


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


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


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 CARDSAND FARE

VALIDATORSADVANCED FAREBOXES

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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?

12


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-ENFORCEDALL-DOOR BOARDING

13


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


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

SIMPLESIMPLE CUSTOMIZED CUSTOMIZED TO MARKETSTO MARKETS

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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

$

A b c d e

Clearinghouse

Optional datathrough probe if

farebox integrated

ControlFunctionsonly

Bus Devices: Alldevices on board bus

carry data, andtransmit separately

to computer

GarageComputers

Reconciliation and Reporting System

AgencyComputer

ManagingHost

Computer

TVMNetwork

Computers

Metrocard Device

Smart Card Device

Farebox

MetrocardComputer

Smart cardComputer

FareboxComputer

Benefits are strongest with higher market penetration of fare media

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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

Documents

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