Below are the first 10 and last 10 pages of uncorrected machine-read text (when available) of this chapter, followed by the top 30 algorithmically extracted key phrases from the chapter as a whole.
Intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text on the opening pages of each chapter.
Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.
Do not use for reproduction, copying, pasting, or reading; exclusively for search engines.
OCR for page 39
29
CHAPTER FOUR
CASE STUDIES
Seven transit operators were selected to examine current in the age of the systems. The comparative characteristics of
practices of North American off-board PoP fare collection the seven operators are provided in Table 37.
in more detail:
Buffalo, New York--Niagara Frontier Transportation BUFFALO, NEW YORK--NIAGARA FRONTIER
Authority; TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (NFTA)
Dallas, Texas--Dallas Area Rapid Transit; Public transportation has existed in Buffalo for more than
170 years. In 1967, NFTA was created by the New York State
Los Angeles, California--Los Angeles County Metro- Legislature. Its LRRT (light rail rapid transit, which is the
politan Transportation Authority; formal term applied in Buffalo to its line) service followed
San Diego as one of the early "new starts" in the United
MinneapolisSt. Paul, Minnesota--Metro Transit; States beginning Metro Rail revenue service in May 1985.
New York City, New York--New York City Transit; NFTA Metro Rail is unique compared with the other new
starts in that the portion of the line in downtown Buffalo is
Phoenix, Arizona--Valley Metro Rail, Inc.; and at-grade in a pedestriantransit mall and the outlying por-
tion is underground. NFTA Metro Rail is a 6.2-mi (10-km)
San Francisco, California--San Francisco Municipal line consisting of 15 stations connecting downtown Buffalo
Transportation Agency. to northern portions of Buffalo (see Figure 7).
These operators were selected to represent a cross-section Although Metro Rail ridership has generally declined over
of regions having a diverse range of conditions, with PoP the past 20 years, there has been a modest upswing in usage
fare collection experiences to include bus and rail modes, since 2005. The average weekday ridership in 2010 was 21,585.
differing geographical areas of North America, and a range Compared with other U.S. LRT lines, the ridership is low; how-
TABLE 37
CASE STUDY OPERATOR SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS
Annual
Ridership
Location Operator PoP Initiated Modes Route Length (mi/km) Stations (n) (1,000s)
Buffalo, New York Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority 1984 LRT 6.2/9.9 15 6,216
LRT 72/115 55 17,799
Dallas, Texas Dallas Area Rapid Transit 1996
CR 34/54 10 2,469
BRT 14/22.5 13 7,043
Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Los Angeles, California 1990 LRT 61.7/98.7 57 46,650
Transportation Authority
HRT 17.4/27.8 16 47,900
MinneapolisSt. Paul, 2004 LRT 12.3/19.7 19 10,322
Metro Transit
Minnesota 2009 CR 40/64 6 710
New York City, New York MTANew York City Transit 2008 BRT 17/27.2 69 21,200
Phoenix, Arizona METRO Light Rail 2008 LRT 20/32 28 12,600
Bus n/a n/a 167,333
San Francisco Municipal
San Francisco, California 1993 LRT 35.5/57 33 42,447
Transportation Agency
Streetcar 6/9.6 8 7,002
OCR for page 40
30
A number of factors were considered including, primarily,
compatibility with the design of the system's surface section
(a transitpedestrian mall) with street-level boarding, capital
and operating costs, and the implementation of similar fare
collection systems on other new light rail projects.
In 1982, the NFTA Board of Commissioners approved the
staff recommendation for an off-board barrier-free PoP fare
collection system.
Prior to construction of Buffalo's LRRT, eastwest cross-
town bus routes that crossed Main Street diverted via Main
Street into the downtown area to provide direct service. With
the new frequent, high-capacity service on the LRRT, it was
decided to end downtown service on the crosstown routes
and force transfers onto the LRRT to complete these trips
into downtown. To avoid forcing these passengers to pay
extra for this transfer, NFTA adopted a concept of free trans-
fers on and off rail to/from bus. In September 2010, NFTA
restructured its routes and fare schedule, resulting in "one
zone, one fare, one system." The new plan eliminated zones
and transfers, reduced the need for 12 types of passes, and
instituted a $4 one-day pass; monthly systemwide passes
were reduced from $77 to $64. Day and monthly passes can
be used on both rail and bus.
Fare Media Used and Availability
Metro Rail travels on Main Street in downtown Buffalo, and
all passengers who use only this portion travel free. Travel to
and from the subway portion (and within) relies on PoP fare
collection. Metro Rail tickets and passes are available at all rail
stations. Transfers have been eliminated systemwide, but free
bus-to-rail PoP tickets (similar to transfers) are available from
bus operators and are valid for continuing a bus trip on Metro
Rail or Route #8 Main buses to maintain these free transfers.
Examination of fare media proportional usage on Metro
Rail indicates that 31% of the riders primarily rely on monthly
passes (an example is shown in Figure 8). At 29%, single-
ride fares make up the second largest category of fare media
used. These one-way tickets are good for one ride in one
direction within 1 h of purchase and on connecting buses.
Other passes that can be used include day passes, round-trip
tickets, and student passes. NFTA employees, police, fire,
FIGURE 7 NFTA Metro Rail route map. and mail carriers in uniform ride free.
ever, this figure masks the line's service productivity as mea-
sured in passengers per line-mile, which is relatively high and
second to Houston among the new starts post-1980 (13).
Basis for Decision to Use Proof-of-Payment Fare
Collection
As part of the design of Buffalo's LRRT system, a wide array
of fare collection systems and technologies was evaluated. FIGURE 8 NFTA Metro monthly pass.
OCR for page 41
31
NFTA Metro's College/University Unlimited Access NFTA Fare Collection Study
Pass program allows students of participating colleges and
universities unlimited access to the Metro Bus and Rail sys- The Main Street transitpedestrian mall is 1.2 mi (1.9 km)
tem. These passes have a magnetic stripe that is swiped on long and its function is under review. An evaluation is being
bus fare boxes and is a flash pass on Metro Rail. conducted about opening portions of the street to traffic
to bring back more activity to the street. From the begin-
The Buffalo Board of Education provides transportation ning in 1985, this downtown portion of the LRRT system
for high schools and some charter schools via NFTA Metro has been a free-fare zone. As a transitpedestrian mall,
as well. These student IDs are valid only on trips to/from the Metro Rail stations are part of the sidewalk system.
home and school using the most direct routing. Each school Thus, any redesign of the street cross-section necessitates
issues cards with school name, student photo, and home reviewing the entire station design, its integration with the
address. sidewalk, and placement of the associated fare collection
system. In addition, the rail car door entrances are above
The TVMs that were part of the initial 1985 operation street level, so a boarding platform must be maintained at
were very simple compared with today's TVMs. They every station.
accepted coins and tokens only. There were three types of
machines during those initial years: coins only, tokens only, As part of the redesign evaluation, a parallel consultant
and dollar bill change makers. study is under way that will evaluate introduction of smart
card technology and involves the following tasks:
Some original TVMs are still in use, but the newer TVMs
also accept $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills. Two or more TVMs · Evaluating the feasibility of a system whereby rail pas-
are required at each station in case one should malfunction; sengers will have to pass through turnstiles on entering
examples are shown in Figure 9. There are 55 TVMs for the and exiting the rail system, and
entire system. In addition, monthly passes can be purchased · Reviewing technology options to "tighten" control in
at third-party outlets throughout the region. lieu of eliminating the PoP fare collection system.
FIGURE 9 NFTA patrons purchasing fares from TVMs.
OCR for page 42
32
Public Information Regarding Proof-of-Payment System to purchase one before you board the train. A token
is not accepted as `proof-of-payment.'"
Information on fare collection and need for PoP is included "At some time during your journey, you may be
in the agency website, on rail timetables, and in each light asked to show your proof of payment to a Metro
rail vehicle. Signage in all underground stations indicates Ticket Inspector. If you do not have it, you'll be
"Must Have Valid Proof of Payment Beyond This Point." issued a summons, similar to that given for a park-
ing violation. To avoid unnecessary expense and
On the Metro Rail timetable there is substantial emphasis embarrassment, remember to purchase a ticket, or
on PoP information in two places: have your transfer or pass handy before you ride."
· Under a box described as "Transfers-Tokens-Fareboxes" Fare Enforcement Function
is the following statement: "Free bus-to-rail proof-of-
payment tickets are available from bus operators and NFTA created the Transit Authority Police Department
are valid for continuing your trip on Metro Rail or #8 (TAPD) in 1984. The TAPD is responsible for law enforce-
Main Street buses only." ment on the NFTA Metro system, as well as the NFTA Boat
· Under another box entitled "FARE COLLECTION" Harbor, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and
there is a list of six advisories, three of which directly Niagara Falls International Airport. The department cur-
alert passengers to proof-of-payment: rently has an authorized strength of 86 sworn officers with
"Metro Rail features self-service fare collection. To three civilian personnel. Transit police officers have the
speed you on your way, there are no turnstiles or authority to exercise police powers and duties, as provided
ticket takers, but you must carry proof that you paid for law enforcement, in traffic and criminal matters within
your fare. This is called `proof of payment.'" the NFTA's jurisdiction. Police substations are located at all
"`Proof of payment' can be a bus-to-rail proof-of- underground Metro Rail stations.
payment ticket, Metro day pass, monthly Metro
pass or your rail ticket. Tickets may be purchased NFTA police officers in train patrol units inspect the
from vending machines at any station, but be sure Metro Rail stations and platforms, enforce rules and regula-
FIGURE 10 NFTA Metro fare inspectors checking customers for PoP.
