Transit riders want fairness in fare system

Suggestions include off-peak discounts, simplifying amount charged

Transit users want a fare system that charges by distance, that rewards people for travelling at nonpeak times and that is fair no matter which service they use, according to survey findings.

TransLink has just completed the second phase of a major fare review, during which it asked the public about options for varying fares by distance travelled, time of travel and service type.

Some 11,587 Metro Vancouverites filled in a survey between Jan. 30 and Feb. 17, while another 1,127 people were involved in a parallel in-depth market research panel.

Geoff Cross, vice-president of planning and policy, told a recent board meeting that the first two phases of the review had record high levels of public participation.

Fares are currently determined by the number of zone boundaries crossed. SkyTrain and SeaBus are part of a three-zone fare structure, West Coast Express has five zones, and buses and HandyDart have just one zone regardless of distance travelled.

The basic fare system has not changed since 1984, but buses were recently made a single zone because of problems with Compass card readers on buses.

For trips on SkyTrain and West Coast Express, respondents said the fairest system would vary fares by measured distance using either kilometres or the number of stops or stations passed. Zones are confusing and a flat fare would make the price too high, particularly for those taking short trips, respondents said.

For trips on bus, respondents wanted the single zone fare system to continue because it eliminates boundary issues altogether and makes payment simple. People also indicated they’d prefer not to have to tap off when leaving the bus.

The majority of people who responded — 74 per cent of research panel participants and 71 per cent of those who completed the survey — were also in favour of offering people an incentive to travel during offpeak times in an effort to reduce crowding. This could include offering a discount during one or more of the three main off-peak periods (early morning, midday and evening).

Currently, fares are cheaper only during weekday evenings and on weekends.

When asked how fares should differ by service type, the majority of respondents preferred current system, where West Coast Express commands a higher price and fares are equal for the other services.

“This option is perceived as being both the most simple and easy to understand as well as the most fair,” the report states.

Too much fare variation is complicated and confusing, and could unfairly penalize low-income travellers who may feel compelled to use only lower-cost services, the survey found.

TransLink plans to take the opinions and develop specific fare system proposals for the third phase of the review. Staff will make a final recommendation on a fare structure next year.