Allowing more choices for purchasing and paying fares can reduce wait times, speed up service, and help attract and retain riders. Technological availability certainly plays a role in updating or replacing fare gathering equipment; but other factors, like machine wear and tear and opportunities for partnerships with other independent organizations, should play a role as well.
Nashville MTA/RTA’s fare collection system is currently based on an industry-common magnetic technology, which is reliable and low-cost. However, there is an opportunity to upgrade the current fare payment system.
I am “old school”, but I do not think equipping buses with mobile phone technology should be an immediate priority. It would, however, be nice to implement wider usage of the plastic cards (referred to as smartcards by another commenter in this section) and enable stored cash or passes on it. These smartcards or plastic card are used by state employees, so I know the buses are already equipped to accept cards as fare. As such, wider usage should be able to be implemented easier than beginning a completely new fare technology.
I suggest plastic smartcards, because customers can load money onto a reusable card and and use it as they need it in other cities. It eliminates the need for cash and for buying passes in person – especially if you can complete fare purchases or transactions online (which is possible in other cities). The plastic cards are also much faster than using the little paper cards currently used for passes and “change” when you overpay and than inserting cash.
I know these stored-value, plastic cards are available in NYC, Boston, and DC. I do not want to compare us to much bigger cities, but simply point to something working in other metropolitan areas as a reference. Sometimes you have to pay for the card, sometimes not. Nashville MTA does not have mini-hubs or a subway system (which has stations) as other cities, so locations to obtain and load these smartcards would need to be identified in the community or other businesses.
I’m good with all the above, just as long as those who chose to use these transportation options are the ones paying for it and that those who chose not to use them are NOT subsidizing it with tax dollars! I guess the chances of that happening are as the old saying goes, ‘slim to none and slim just left town’!
Today the main bus station ticket office told me that they could not sell me a one-way ticket for the express bus that I wanted to ride. They said I had to pay on the bus, which was about to leave. However, I only had a $10 bill with me. The ticket office then told me they were not permitted to change more than a $5 bill, so I would have to go to Dunkin Donuts to get change (and miss the bus). It was a “catch 22.” It is situations like this that discourage people from riding. The more flexible the options for paying can be, the better. But at least machines that take credit/debit cards on the bus would be a help!
I would like to use cryptocurrency, either Bitcoin or a “N-Transit Token” started by the city with its own blockchain. Smartphone apps, cards, and printed tickets can all function well and it keeps the Nashville transit system ahead of the curve in payment technology.
I like the idea of swipe cards or mobile phone pay.
Smartcards are wonderful. I use them when I travel to other cities. The people I stay with tend to have an extra and I just refill it for my stay. It works – it’s easy to use – it’s fast. I would not be included if this is only used by universities or certain employers – I think it needs to be open to anyone who might want it.
One of my issues is where to buy a current fare card – whatever is done we have to make it easier and more accessible to buy a fare.
I do plan on starting to use the bus system more in the next year. The reason being is that even my 2.5 mile commute to work I get frustrated with traffic and it will get worse with all the new office spaces being added into the downtown area where I work. It would be nice to be able to have easy accessibility to buying the fares when this starts. Right now my best option is to order online…
Yes it will take money to do any sort of updates – but these sorts of updates will get more people on the buses.
YES fare cards that you can buy anywhere you can buy a lottery ticket!
Cash is close to obsolete.
Having just moved here from Boston, I can tell you creating a single “metro card” is helpful, but if you can allow riders to add it to their smart phones to take advantage of apple pay or android pay or samsung pay, that would be the best of both worlds. The card should be reloadable at a station, online, or, with cash at publix/kroegers/walgreens.
I do think we need a graduated fare schedule for minors, students, and the very low end of the economic spectrum. I would suggests discounts for monthly purchases to incent ongoing ridership.
Josh
Been there done that. 31 day pass at 44.oo for us seniors
BIG discount : )
What Earle said.
A no-brainer.
I lived and worked in DC for 15 years. I rode Metro and rarely drove my car. Smart cards that can be reloaded are THE way to go. A great example is Starbucks where the user can opt to have it automatically reloaded when the balance reaches an identified minimum.
I now live less than a block from the current bus line and plan to use the bus as much as possible in the future.
Agree on all points
Cash, card, smart phones…use all.
Many people to not have a smart phone or don’t want to pay for things with a credit card due to the risk of stolen c.c. information.
A study for 2015 Christmas season was 40% would use only cash due to stolen c.c. information and less debt.
I like most of what I have read in the comments on this topic. Make it easy
Make it quick
Make it reload able
Make it work off IPhone or similar apps.
In addition I wonder if the city could afford a free card for disabled, homeless, and jobless, and students.
Finally a discount card for seniors or students etc. THH
I think it would be nice to have an app that connects to credit card accounts. On iPhone you could enable Apple Pay so it is easy to reload money into your card. The card should come with a digital option whether that be implemented with barcode or NFC.
I would like to be able to pay for my transit ride with CASH or CREDIT / DEBIT card at the station or on the bus or rail? (Plastic smartcards with no expiration dates on the credit stored on them and smartphone app which charges directly to a person’s credit card are the best options.) Download an app to pay via phone, Ipad, laptop etc. Nashville MTA/RTA should update their fare payment system every 5 years. ~ stole this from Ehenderson ! and Doug Leins
In NY and other cities, you can buy Metrocard fare cards almost anywhere. Here in Nashville, I’d like to see places like Publix, Kroger’s and Walgreens sell them right at their courtesy counters. I think even with our present bus system, more people would take the bus if it were easier. Right now, the only place you can buy fare cards is at Music City Center, and if you have no car, how can you get there to buy one? Very frustrating! Also, as an aside, all bus shelters and bus signs should have schedules posted on them.
~ stole this from Jeannie Fields !
Allow for credit/debit card swipe for fare payments on buses. Exact cash is not always available for riders. Most don’t want to use a large bill and get a card balance back on a bus card when they need to use the change for other things. The credit/debit card swipe fare payment would eliminate that issue. ~ stole from TJ!
payment by phone technology.
A simple card reader which can be topped up online and at, say, drugstores can eliminate the use of cash. The reader should show the balance on the card before each journey. Passengers will quickly become accustomed to keeping their balance up.
I would like to be able to pay for my transit ride with cash or credit card at the station or on the bus or rail? Download an app to pay via phone, Ipad, laptop etc. Nashville MTA/RTA should update their fare payment system every 5 years.
In NY and other cities, you can buy Metrocard fare cards almost anywhere. Here in Nashville, I’d like to see places like Publix, Kroger’s and Walgreens sell them right at their courtesy counters. I think even with our present bus system, more people would take the bus if it were easier. Right now, the only place you can buy fare cards is at Music City Center, and if you have no car, how can you get there to buy one? Very frustrating! Also, as an aside, all bus shelters and bus signs should have schedules posted on them.
Allow for credit/debit card swipe for fare payments on buses. Exact cash is not always available for riders. Most don’t want to use a large bill and get a card balance back on a bus card when they need to use the change for other things. The credit/debit card swipe fare payment would eliminate that issue.
Plastic smartcards with no expiration dates on the credit stored on them and smartphone app which charges directly to a person’s credit card are the best options.
I would like to pay for my transit ride before I get on board. I think SO many people DO have smartphones these days, almost regardless of their age/economic status, that MTA/RTA should implement a system that would move to use of the smartphone options sooner rather than later.
just a question, what about the contractual agreements that you have with state government and colleges/universities where the mag strip id card is used. Would that still be in effect?
I use a swipe and ride card most of the time and think that is a very efficient means of getting passengers on the bus but the systems are sometimes not functional. To keep up with society and attract a broader slice of the population you will need to get to a payment by phone technology.
A card that can be scanned by the user to make payment as easy and simple as possible. The card should be one on which credit can be uploaded via the internet. No cash, buy your card at the bus stop if you are a visitor and don’t have a card as part of your travel plans.
I suggest upgrading to the “chip” tap and go system, after many of the systemic bugs and security issues have been addressed.
Also, here’s an article and links that might be of interest about fares. I favor some kind of graduated fare system for documented extremely-low-income residents.
What’s a Fair Fare? Governing online magazine, Charles Chieppo, December 1, 2015.
http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-public-transportation-income-based-fare-discounts.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_content=email&utm_campaign=How%20the%20Recession%20Changed%20Government%20Employment%20for%20Minorities&utm_term=What%26rsquo%3Bs%20a%20Fair%20Fare
I think a “membership card” tied to a credit card with monthly billings for MTA/RTA usage would be well received. Rather than having to pay each time you board the bus, you could swipe the card and move on knowing that it would be automatically paid at the end of the month.
This should be possible with today’s technology and should speed up the process and make it more convenient.
Just my thoughts.
Lance Hale