How Rider-Friendly Fare Policies Can Improve Transit

So many aspects of a transit system's fare system can make or break the rider experience and even the long-term viability of the system. A new report helps transit planners and service designers make sense of all the options.

1 minute read

October 27, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Could not retrieve the remote URL (https://vimeo.com/363672635).

Fare policy has huge implications for transit riders, according to the impetus behind a new report by TransitCenter. "When transit agencies grapple with changes to fare prices, payment systems, and collection methods, they make decisions that affect affordability, convenience, and even travel time."

The new report, titled "A Fare Framework" [pdf] examines case studies of rider-friendly principles at the San Francisco MTA, TriMet in Portland, and King County Metro in Seattle.

"The paper also outlines recommendations related to broader trends within fare policy, like decriminalizing fare evasion and the adoption of mobile payment methods," according to the article that explains and promotes the report.

The article also comes with the explainer video on fare policy that can be viewed above.

Thursday, October 10, 2019 in TransitCenter

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing