Bus service in San Francisco

[Nina M Blackwell]

I have just returned from San Francisco where I lived for 20 years.  I was always impressed by the bus service which is based on a grid framework in terms of connections to get within 1-2 blocks of any destination.  But what impressed me the most besides the frequency of service was that most bus stops have been equipped with LED screens advising patrons of how far away their bus is from arriving.  Also, for $2 you can travel in any direction with no limitation for THREE HOURS!  In other words, if you wanted to go from the CBD out to the ocean for a few snapshots and a refreshment, you can actually return to the CBD on the same transfer as long as you board the bus within three hours (the expiration time is on the transfer).  Amazing!

[O_128]

I feel that the entire BCC zone should be a flat fare or a zone 1 fare for bus ferry and trains, Patronage would rocket.

[somebody]

I feel that the entire BCC zone should be a flat fare or a zone 1 fare for bus ferry and trains, Patronage would rocket.

In outlying areas if you price it at the 2 zone fare price, then certainly.  But then you are providing a lot of incentive to live a long way from where you work, and savaging your fare revenue.

[Mr X]

People going shorter distances would have to pay more.
Tell me, why should I pay the same to take the 192 for 5 mins for 2km home from uni compared to someone from Browns Plains to Chermside for the same price....?

[#Metro]

Seriously, if the price = zero people still wouldn't use it because of the cost of the waiting time is >>> larger than the actual nominal fare.

Fix up the frequency, patronage will follow. Proven on the ground in Brisbane!

[O_128]

People going shorter distances would have to pay more.
Tell me, why should I pay the same to take the 192 for 5 mins for 2km home from uni compared to someone from Browns Plains to Chermside for the same price....?

1 or 2 zones for within the Brisbane city council boundaries would boost patronage from a cost point of view, no one will pay 5$ for a trip if the bus is every 5 min

[SurfRail]

Flat fares for North American cities don't surprise me - from what I understand, the basic business model has always been pay-on-entry for a single ride for more or less everywhere, and pay extra for a transfer.  Most of the systems would have evolved out of that, including the Muni system.

[somebody]

Flat fares for North American cities don't surprise me - from what I understand, the basic business model has always been pay-on-entry for a single ride for more or less everywhere, and pay extra for a transfer.  Most of the systems would have evolved out of that, including the Muni system.

Even Atlanta (which is pretty spread out compared to the MTA of New York's area), is still smaller than the Translink area.  I think the Atlanta system allows for free transfers though.

[Stillwater]

 Flat fares apply in Canberra and bus patronage is increasing.  From the southern tip of Canberra to the northernmost point of the ACTION bus network is more than 40km.  One fare applies.

http://www.transport.act.gov.au/myway/fares.html

It is also interesting that ACTION is expanding the uses to which the MyWay card can be put.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-03/canberra-action-bus-upgrades/3206510?section=act

[somebody]

Flat fares apply in Canberra and bus patronage is increasing.  From the southern tip of Canberra to the northernmost point of the ACTION bus network is more than 40km.  One fare applies.

http://www.transport.act.gov.au/myway/fares.html

It is also interesting that ACTION is expanding the uses to which the MyWay card can be put.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-03/canberra-action-bus-upgrades/3206510?section=act

I don't see how that is in the same ball park as our network.  Presumably the CBD is in the centre of this, so it goes about 20km out.  The 330 is longer than this and the 250 is about as long as the 40km for the whole Canberra network, give or take.  And the Gympie line dwarfs it.

[colinw]

When I rode the Blue & Red lines in LA a few years ago there were only two fares available. A "single" which was good for one ride, and a "transfer" which could be used for transfers.

So, for example, Long Beach to 7th St Interchange riding the Blue Line only would be one fare, but the "transfer" fare would apply if you wanted to change to the Red or Green lines and continue the journey.

Even the transfer fare was amazingly cheap by Australian standards, less than $2 to go from Long Beach Transit Mall to Hollywood.

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter was recently in LA and Tucson. In both locations single fares were $1.50. Tucson day pass was $3.50. So at current exchange rates in 2012 a 2 zone single peak journey in Brisbane will cost more than a Tucson day pass!

[Stillwater]

Okay, so no to the concept of go-card being used for car parking and for bike cages (as per MyWay).  And no for flat rate tertiary fare and no for capped daily fares for students and no free travel after 36 trips.  Glad we cleared that up.