NTL Record

Title Transit Fare Prepayment Distribution Methods in Sacramento, CA [1985]
Record ID 49275
Personal Name
Creator
Reinke, D.
Source 226p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator Crain & Associates
Corporate
Contributor
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.); United States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Office of Technical Assistance and Safety
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
Publication Date 19850601
Language English
Abstract This demonstration tested the use of new methods to distribute transit fare prepayment (TFP) instruments at the Sacramento Regional Transit district (RT). Five new distribution methods were implemented to supplement a network of public, private, and school sales outlets: ) mail order, 2) direct telephone order, 3) automatic telephone payment (direct bill paying by telephone), 4) pre-authorized funds transfer from checking accounts, and 5) vending machines that dispense ticket strips. Implementation of the new methods was staged, so that each new method was implemented on top of a growing base program; each method could then be evaluated on its own merit and on the effect of its introduction on the existing distribution system. The costs, benefits, and patronage of each method, as well as the procedures used in its administration, were analyzed. Planning and implementation of the new methods, except for vending machines, proceeded with few problems; the methods are workable, and their users are satisfied with the service. Continuing mechanical problems with the vending machines have made them unreliable, and their use is low. The new methods account for about 3% of RT's total TFP sales. Most users of the new methods had previously purchased TFP instruments through sales outlets. There has been no discernible effect on total patronage on RT. The new methods are less cost-effective than the sales outlets: their operating costs range from 14% to almost 50% of their revenues, while outlet operating costs are less than 3% of their revenues.
Rosap ID dot:10738
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/10738
TRT Terms Alternatives analysis; Demonstration projects; Evaluation; Fare collection; Fare prepayment; Physical distribution; Ticket vending machines
General Subjects Distribution systems; Urban Mass Transportation Act
Classification NTL - ECONOMICS AND FINANCE - ECONOMICS AND FINANCE;
NTL - ECONOMICS AND FINANCE - Transit Economics and Finance;
NTL - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Transit Planning and Policy;
NTL - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Transit Economics and Finances;
NTL - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Geographical
Coverage
Sacramento (California)
Contract Number DOT-TSC-1755
Report Number DOT-TSC-UMTA-85-14; UMTA-CA-06-0102-85-1
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/49000/49200/49275/DOT-TSC-UMTA-85-14.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository