Means-based reduced-fare programs can help address transit rider fare equity. The objective of this study is to synthesize the current state of reduced-fare programs for low-income transit riders. The reduced-fare programs of the 50 largest transit agencies in the United States were examined and agencies with programs for low-income riders were compared based on three dimensions: eligibility and enrollment, fare media and discount pricing, and estimated transit expenditure by eligible riders. The results reveal that 17 of the 50 largest transit agencies have low-income reduced-fare programs. Of these, 14 agencies administer the programs themselves, while three use partnerships with social service organizations to administer them. Additionally, nine of the 14 agencies that administer their own programs provide a 50% discount on fares and require participants to have an income at or below 125% to 200% of the federal poverty level for eligibility. Using a method developed to evaluate the “fare burden” of transit riders with different income levels, it was determined that low-income reduced-fare program participants at the income eligibility threshold typically spend an estimated 2% to 6% of their annual income on transit, although very-low-income people may need to spend much higher shares of their incomes on transit fares. These results indicate that agencies may need to reevaluate the structure of their existing low-income reduced-fare programs and implement tiers of discounts to ensure that fare equity is being extended to all riders.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Comparison of Reduced-Fare Programs for Low-Income Transit Riders


    Additional title:

    Transportation Research Record




    Publication date :

    2021-07-07




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Unbanked Transit Riders and Open Payment Fare Collection

    Brakewood, Candace | Online Contents | 2013


    Unbanked Transit Riders and Open Payment Fare Collection

    Brakewood, Candace / Kocur, George | Transportation Research Record | 2013


    Fair Fare Policies: Pricing Policies that Benefit Transit-Dependent Riders

    Taylor, Kendra C. / Jones, Erick C. | Springer Verlag | 2011


    RIDERS RESPOND TO A FARE DEAL

    Online Contents | 1998


    Riders Respond to a Fare Deal

    British Library Online Contents | 1998