Transit Fares

Time-Based or Distance-Based Transit Fares: Is One Better Than the Other?

Is there a difference between the two most common fare structures in public transit?

23 October 2010 - 5:00am

TheCityFix

How To Raise Fares

Fri, 08/13/2010 - 10:47

A couple of weeks ago, I was on a bus in Chicago and noticed something that I had not noticed before- that how you paid to get on the bus affected how long you took to get on the bus. People who flashed monthly passes boarded in a few seconds. People who put in dollar bills got on a lot more slowly, as they fumbled for the right number of bills. People who had to pay change took longer still.

So to speed buses’ on-time performance (pun intended) transit agencies should encourage the former and discourage the latter.

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Used MetroCards Make Big Litter - MTA Proposes a Solution

They litter almost every subway entrance - the ubiquitous, value-exhausted plastic MetroCards. Yet, MetroCards are refillable. Now MTA has devised a simple, revenue-producing measure that would reduce the litter by adding a $1 fee to new cards.

11 July 2010 - 7:00am

New York Post

Can Free Fares Save Public Transit?

With 100 percent subsidies, transit agencies could drop the pretense of being businesses and serve many more people -- or so proponents say. Agencies aren't so sure.

24 November 2009 - 11:00am

InTransition Magazine

Ticket to Ride Now Needed in L.A.

Turnstiles are coming to the Los Angeles subway. Some say the move will help raise revenue for the city's transit authority, given its recent increases in ridership.

7 September 2009 - 5:00am

Next American City

Portland's Fareless Square to Start Charging

The largest free mass transit area in the U.S. is changing its rules next year, when it will start charging people to ride the bus.

14 August 2009 - 6:00am

The Oregonian

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2 comments

Do They Really Need Money?

A debate over the MBTA fare hike will begin soon in earnest, focusing on whether the MBTA needs money.

16 June 2009 - 5:00am

The Boston Globe

Why Is Fare-Free Transit The Exception Rather Than The Rule?

Transit agencies spend a lot of money to make money. In many cases, the amount spent equals or even surpasses the amount they bring in from fares. So why charge them at all? Dave Olsen takes a look at Fare-Free transit, what's holding it back, and how to make it a reality.

23 February 2009 - 5:00am

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13 comments

Twin Cities Transit Ridership Up, Funding Down

Ridership is up on transit in the Twin Cities. Fewer cars are being sold, and tax revenues are down. With little funding expected to fill the gap, transit fare increases may be on the horizon.

5 February 2009 - 11:00am

Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune

MTA Rescue Plan Wins Support Of NY Governor

The MTA rescue plan, with its new East & Harlem River bridge tolls and first-ever, 12-county transit payroll tax cleared a major political hurdle by winning the crucial support of NY Gov' Paterson. Winning support from mayor, outer boroughs remains.

9 December 2008 - 9:00am

The New York Times

New Bridge Tolls and Payroll Tax Proposed For NYC Transit

A rescue package for New York’s debt-ridden M.T.A. includes two new revenue generators: first-ever tolls for the East and Harlem River bridges, and a 12-county, corporate payroll tax, to supplement fare and toll increases and transit service cuts.

4 December 2008 - 8:00am

The New York Times