WHO PAYS THE HIGHEST AND THE LOWEST PER-KILOMETER TRANSIT FARES (ABRIDGMENT)

This paper takes a close look at fare equity, from the standpoint of the transit user, by investigating fares per kilometer paid by different groups of bus riders. The research consisted of an examination of the ridership profile of the transit system operating in the capital district of Albany, New York. The study showed that fares per kilometer vary greatly among different transit users and that, even when incremental fares are charged in addition to basic flat fares on longer intercity and intraurban routes, the fares per kilometer of bus trips tend to be inversely proportional to the length of bus trips. Work-to-home trips costs less per kilometer than non-work-related trips, and people without cars or unable to use cars pay higher fares per kilometer on the average than those with cars available. The average fare per kilometer of peak-hour riders is less than that of off-peak riders. In addition, it was found that there was no appreciable difference in fares per kilometer paid by men versus women but that there is a tendency for fares per kilometer to rise as age increases from 18 to 65. Thus, current basically flat-fare systems tend to emphasize inequities already existing in society.