Implementing a BRT Project: The Preliminary Steps 8:30 – 9:50 a.m. Frank Spielberg BMI-SG Incoming Chair, TRB Bus Transi

1. 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)

2. Session Presentations • “MAX, Transit for Today”, June Devoll • “BRT Vehicle Selection Concepts”, Fred Silver • “Implementing BRT, Fare Collection”, Roderick Diaz and Jeff Klompus

3. 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

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

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 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

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 FARE VENDING • 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 SMART CARDS AND FARE VALIDATORS ADVANCED FAREBOXES

11. 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 PAY ON-BOARD • 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 BARRIER-ENFORCED ALL-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 SIMPLE CUSTOMIZED TO MARKETS

15. 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. 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. 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