Self-Service Fare Collection on the San Diego Trolley

Details

• Creators:
  Koffman, D. ; Rhyner, G. ; Trexler, R.
• Corporate Creators:
  John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Corporate Contributors:
  Crain & Associates ; United States. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Fare collection
  • Fraud
  • Law enforcement
  • Light rail transit
  • Ticket vending machines
  • Ticketing
• Publication/ Report Number:
  UMTA-CA-06-0158-84-1;DOT-TSC-UMTA-84-16
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.21949/1527136
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  San Diego (California)
• Description:
  The San Diego Trolley (owner by the Metropolitan Transit Development Board) began operations in July 1981 using self-service fare collection (SSFC). Passengers must have proof of payment consisting of a single-ride ticket bought at a vending machine located at one of the 18 stations, a multi-ride ticket validated at one of the same machines, a transfer, or a monthly pass. About one-third of riders are checked by a team of inspectors who issue citations, or notices to appear in court, to fare evaders. The usual penalty for fare evasion is to forfeit $20 bail plus a $10 court fee. The 33 ticket machines have performed well in the opinion of Trolley staff, with a record of better than 96% in-service availability. Analysis of boarding times indicates that SSFC on the Trolley saves about 3.4 minutes per 16-mile run. On the average, 0.5% of passengers checked do not have proper proof of payment. The use of court citations has proved workable, although 20% to 40% of cited passengers ignore the citations indefinitely. Passengers have generally positive attitudes toward the SSFC system. Total annual cost (including annualized capital) for SSFC has been estimated at $444,000 or $.11 per passenger. Conventional fare collection would have much higher operating costs and lower capital costs.
• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/11704/dot_11704_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 6.18 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:5bed32e801bc25e3b15f69e5d96250f46fb0168c9b586003f8d6b7ee91cc4412