LOW FARE AND FARE-FREE TRANSIT; SOME RECENT APPLICATIONS BY U.S. TRANSIT SYSTEMS

The purpose of this report is to provide a reference document describing succinct case studies of the experience accrued by more than 40 U.S. transit systems which have introduced fare-free of reduced-fare services of one form or another in recent years. The report is a useful reference document for decision makers contemplating similar pricing policies as well as a preliminary planning guide to the UMTA for the development of demonstration programs to evaluate various transit pricing and service strategies. Many different types of fare reductions were identified. They are classified into five broad divisions: (a) systemwide fare reductions without any restrictions; (b) fare reductions applicable to specific geographical areas only--typically the CBD; (c) fare reductions which are operable only during limited hours--typically the off-peak hours; (d) fare reductions subject to both geographical and time-of-day restrictions; and (e) fare reductions of short duration implemented chiefly for promotional purposes. When viewed from the limited perspective of financial aspects of transit system operations it does not appear that fare reductions alone have had a favorable impact on the overall economic conditions of transit systems.