BUS FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM ASSESSMENT. FINAL REPORT

An assessment was conducted to examine the impact that rising fare levels are having on bus transit fare collection systems. Problems have been reported with regard to the handling of dollar bills and lost revenue. This report addresses these problem areas which have arisen or grown more significant as a result of increased fares (to or near the one dollar level), and the continued use of fare collection systems designed for coins only. Eight bus transit systems were visited: Chicago Transit Authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Seattle Metro, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, AC Transit (Oakland, CA), Tri-County Metropolitan Transit District of Oregon (Portland), Dallas Transit System, and Sacramento Regional Transit District. Findings are presented for each of the problem areas based on data collected during the visits. Long-term and short-term changes in procedures, equipment, and policies designed to bring relief are recommended.