Fare Free Future

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic radically altered Metro Transit’s revenue system, likely with lasting change to transit ridership. This disruption is an opportunity to evaluate Metro Transit’s fare system. This report provides recommendations to reach a vision for a simplified and more equitable fare system. These recommendations are developed from background information on Metro Transit and its riders, documentation of existing conditions, review of relevant literature, and interviews with stakeholders and subject matter experts. Recommendations focus on the conceptual level and center all-purpose riders. Recommendations vary in their complexity and impact. Metro Transit can effectively simplify the current system just by paring down its sheer number of fare offerings. Beyond simplification, Metro Transit may improve ridership and mobility through simplified pass and needs based programs combined with heightened enrollment efforts. In the medium-term, a fare capping policy may achieve much of these recommendations across rider groups. Finally, this report recommends eliminating fares. A fare-free transit system best achieves the stated goals of this report: a simpler rider experience, revenue stability and growth, and improved mobility for all-purpose riders.