Bus Rapid Transit: Article Analysis

This article relates to the topic because it discusses fare evasion and smart cards on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). BRT is an enhanced bus service that offers reliable and quality service that improves travel times, service reliability, and ridership. The overall objective of BRT is to maximize transit through faster travel times than traditional fixed-route bus service. With high travel demands, there will always be fare evaders. Fare evasion usually happens during peak hours, but it can also happen during hours when it is not so busy. In addition, most BRT uses smart cards, proof of payment, off-board and on-board payment for fare collection. Fare evasions are most common with proof of payment and off-board payment methods. To reduce fare evasion, …show more content…
Smart card technology on BRT will not only reduce fare evasion but also improve the transit system. The rider will simply tap it on a sensor, which will allow a fast boarding process on and off peak hours. The primary advantage of off-board fare payment is faster travel time, but implementing smart cards are more efficient due to being able to see who is tapping the reader and who is not. In addition, the main disadvantage of off-board payment is the need to have fare inspectors. By implementing the smart card system on BRT, there is no need for fare inspectors because riders pay by simply tapping their card to the reader. Smart cards provide a fast and an efficient method of …show more content…
Similar to the other articles, it provides very detailed information on different types of fare collection methods on BRT. However, this article provides more statistical data on fare evasion and the overall position of BRT within the transit system. In addition, this article answered most of my unsolved questions from the previous articles about smart cards. This article does not directly focus on a smart card systems for BRT, but it does provide sufficient information that will help me further my research. The relationship that these articles share is the idea that fare evasion is a problem for all transit agencies with BRT. In order to reduce fare evasion on BRT, transit agencies need to implement a fare collection method that is fast, reliable, and will not delay the route. A smart card system would be the most efficient method of fare collection on BRT. With all of these articles combined, I will have enough information to narrow down my topic even more to the use of smart cards on BRT and how it would be able to reduce fare