NTL Record

Title Self-Service Fare Collection on the San Diego Trolley
Record ID 50313
Personal Name
Creator
Koffman, D.; Rhyner, G.; Trexler, R.
Source 144p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Corporate
Contributor
Crain & Associates; United States. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
Publisher United States. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
Publication Date 19840501
Language English
Abstract 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.
Rosap ID dot:11704
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/11704
TRT Terms Fare collection; Fraud; Law enforcement; Light rail transit; Ticket vending machines; Ticketing
Geographical
Coverage
San Diego (California)
Report Number UMTA-CA-06-0158-84-1; DOT-TSC-UMTA-84-16
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/50000/50300/50313/DOT-TSC-UMTA-84-16.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository