Regionalizing Fare Structures to Link the Region Julie Dupree Easter Seals Transportation Group CMRT Mobility Matters Event May 7, 2015

The mission of the National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) is to facilitate communities to adopt transportation strategies and mobility options that empower people to live independently and advance health, economic vitality, self- sufficiency, and community. Funded by the Federal Transit Administration

Regionalizing Fare Structure

Why Regionalize Fare Structures?  More options aren’t always a good thing!  Show transit riders some love!  Abolish silly boundaries!  Everyone is doing it!

Denver RTD Fare Regionalization Timeline

San Francisco Bay Area CLIPPER Card  Serves riders of seven Bay Area transit agencies: – San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) – Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) – AC Transit – Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) – CalTrain – Golden Gate Transit and Ferry – SamTrans  Launched in 2010 after successful six-month TransLink pilot that linked six agencies in 2000.

CLIPPER Card Lessons Learned  A business rule had to be written into the software to accommodate all possible trip and transfer combinations  Tremendous acceptance attributed to multi-cultural and multi-age outreach  People don’t like transfer penalties!  Transportation advocates urging MTC to prioritize integration of first/last mile services into the future CLIPPER system, including bike sharing, car sharing, parking, etc.

Miami Dade Transit/South Florida RTA EASY Card System  Helps riders transfer between Miami-Dade Transit’s Metrorail/Metrobus and South Florida RTA’s Tri-Rail  Introduced by MDT in October 2009 and adopted by SFRTA in January 2011  Regional monthly pass allows travelers to seamlessly travel between the two systems  Process started by SFRTA after extensive research on regional collaboration.  System administered by MDT  EASY Card Customer Service Center shared by MDT and SFRTA

MDT/SFRTA EASY Card System Lessons Learned  Regular methods of community outreach were not enough - customer education needed  Conduct outreach to all community members, not just regular weekday commuters  EASY Card not adopted by Broward County Transit or Palm Trans Buses due to older technology.  Success attributed to MDT having full project control and direct contact with contractor  Form strong partnership with contractor to work toward common goal of achieving a fast and successful implementation  A streamlined regional fare policy limits the number of possible fare combinations

Washington State Puget Sound Region ORCA Card  2009 implementation of a 2003 agreement between seven area transportation agencies : – Sound Transit – King County Metro – Community Transit – Everett Transit – Pierce Transit – Kitsap Transit – Washington State Ferries

Fare System Regionalization Challenges  Public Outreach and Marketing  Lack of coordination and multi-modal  Large degree of planning and coordination necessary – be realistic to the size of your system  Emerging technology challenges and delays  Smart Cards with good intentions can become a hassle for people with disabilities and older adults

Resources regional-farecard-update regional-farecard-update regionalization-plan.pdf regionalization-plan.pdf

Julie Dupree Easter Seals Transportation Group (202)