Transit agencies in the United States are looking to increase efficiencies and find innovative solutions to offer customers greater convenience and transit fairness. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern that examined the benefits and challenges of both transit fare capping and cashless fare payment. Agencies can “cap” the maximum amount a rider can pay in a given time period or eliminate the collection of fares onboard vehicles. Presenters shared benefits against revenue costs and equity issues.

This webinar is based on TCRP Synthesis Report 163: Considering the Unbanked in Cashless Fare Payment at Point of Service for Bus/Demand-Response Services and TCRP Synthesis Report 160: Fare Capping: Balancing Revenue and Equity Impacts.

This webinar was sponsored by the TRB Standing Technical Committee on Public Transportation Marketing and Fare Policy.

The slides and recording are available. 

Webinar agenda and presenters

• Fare capping policies – Amy Pettine, Nelson Nygaard
• Cashless fare collection systems – Candace Brakewood, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Question and answer session moderated by Mallory Avis, City of Battle Creek Transit

The first 60 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify the potential benefits of fare capping policies that also consider revenue and equity goals
• Describe policies and practices that meet the needs of transit riders, including the unbanked, in systems that reduce or eliminate cash fare collection from onboard transit vehicles

Credit Information

There were no credits associated with this webinar.