SELF-SERVICE BARRIER-FREE FARE COLLECTION: AN EARLY LOOK AT SAN DIEGO'S EXPERIENCE

With the opening of revenue service on July 26, 1981, the San Diego light rail transit system also inaugurated a self-service barrier-free fare collection system. Experience to date indicates that the fare collection system not only is achieving the objectives set forth but also is having other residual benefits. There are 18 stations and 27 ticket vending machines along the 16-mile line. These vending machines produce a validated ticket upon insertion of the correct fare, and they can also validate a 10-ride ticket. Valid tickets, bus transfers, or monthly passes must be in the possession of each rider (i.e., valid proof of payment). Thus far, fare evasion has been found to be far less than 1 percent of the daily riders. Patrons generally have positive feelings about the fare collection system. Capital costs were low and primarily a function of the type and complexity of the vending machines. Likewise, the operational benefits include low labor intensity (ticket inspectors are required for policing proof of payment) and efficient boarding and unloading of passengers using all doors on one side of the train (e.g., eight for a two-car train). An important result of the ticket inspection team is the public relations benefit gained. The ticket inspectors have become ambassadors of a sort. The nature of the system means there are no conductors and no station attendants; also, the train operator does not participate in any patron functions. Therefore, the ticket inspectors become the only employee of the operation that the public comes in contact with. A firm yet positive attitude was stressed during their training program, and this has seemingly paid off with resulting positive attitudes from patrons. The early results of self-service barrier-free fare collection in San Diego demonstrate its cost-effectiveness.