Evaluation analysis on an integrated fare initiative in Beijing

An effective fare policy and structure will realize a reasonable combination of both public welfare and operational profit.This article presents an evaluation framework for an integrated fare initiative in Beijing. It explains a new set of 10 evaluations indices, which include public acceptance, social equity, convenience, change of subsidy, possibility of modal integration, feasibility of implementation, change of revenue, change of readership, improvement of operation control, and change of cost. The article examines a survey of Beijing Public Transit System users to assess three integrated fare strategies introduced by the agency. The results of the survey are subsequently used as the input data to the proposed evaluation framework.