Comments on: New Thinking Needed On Half Fares

By: Guy Span

Guy Span — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:50:26 +0000

There is no heresy in this business; just merely the need to balance budgets. But if eliminating senior discounts “drives” people to para-transit then we are all losers. A thoughtful piece to raise the issue.

By: Dave Daley

Dave Daley — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:31:42 +0000

I think it depends on who is eligible for the demand responsive system. In some jurisdictions that is ADA passengers only, in others it is seniors and ADA. Any passenger using the fixed system instead of paratransit is saving you 20-30 times the fixed route fare. You can make an argument those passengers should be free on the fixed system.

By: Larry Hagemann

Larry Hagemann — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:26:15 +0000

The calculus does need to be revisited relatives to the free rides. As a member of the 65+ club, I do not expect special treatment, nor do I expect discounts at all levels. A discount or a free ride does not in any way influence my thinking, but it does impact the budget of the organization making the offer. The CTA in Illinois was the victim of ex-gov. “Blago” with his sudden impulse to offer free rides! It makes sense to ratchet this back so that the CTA can “make cents” with their budget. And maybe Newton needs to revisit his calculus of fare structures in the USA, too!

By: Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:04:55 +0000

Enforcement of special fares for seniors, disabled riders, and children is difficult in the field. There is no way for fare collectors to verify a disability or an age (that’s a violation of privacy). People who have issues with communication or handling currency, are actually more inconvenienced because special fares usually require paying in cash with exact change; modern swipe-and-go cards are usually only available for regular fares. Special fares beyond a simple one-way ride can result in a half-price math quiz at the farebox, and that challenge is reserved for people who presumably are already challenged. Any re-thinking of special fares should take practicality into account in the modern fare collection era.

By: Steve Yaffe

Steve Yaffe — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:31:41 +0000

Offering a strong price incentive to encourage use of fixed route transit, as opposed to paratransit, is an important tool in attracting seniors to transit.

I also expect that a more in-depth look at census data (long form, now the American Community Survey) will show that those seniors without access to cars are also more likely to be low income.

Another factor to consider is that one’s perspective of funds available for discretionary uses declines with age – even though the bank account may remain the same. I’ve known a number of seniors who were very money-conscious even with a comfortable level of savings and investment income.

A change in federal legislation would be needed to get rid of the 1/2 fare off-peak requirement. Not worth the effort!

By: Lynne Pihl

Lynne Pihl — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:18:30 +0000

If non-peak capacity is a problem, and subsidized fares unfair to the full pay commuters/work force, then why not reduce fares to all during non-peak, and full fare to all during peak ? If a senior, or disabled person is still in the workforce and must use roadways during the peak, then they can pay just like everyone else. If a senior, or disabled is not working, they can adjust their travel to off peak. If a workforce person can arrange their schedule to travel during non-peak, why not reward them with a reduced fair ? Lynne of TC2inc.