Open Collections

Chan, Valerie

In October of 2015, TransLink – the statutory authority responsible for Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation network, including public transport, major roads, and bridges – made changes to the region’s fare structure. According to the old fare structure, all modes of mass public transportation were priced using a three-zone system; however, with the changes made, trips by bus are charged as one zone, whilst all other modes maintain the traditional three-zone system. This was done as a temporary solution to frequent issues with overcharging customers on buses during the trial phase of its new Compass Card technology, which is an electronic payment and smart card system. This report then, examines the impact of the change in fare structure on transportation mode choice and routes, and discusses possibilities for fare structure changes once the interim transitional system of one-zone bus fares ends. The results from this study show that public transportation users largely have not changed their transportation routes as a result of such changes in fare structure, with 84% of survey participants indicating that they have not changed their routes. The main reason suggested for not changing transportation routes was the inadequacies of bus services. Recommendations from this study then, include further research into the possibilities for: • introducing flat or distance-based fare pricing • expanding the bus network, particularly in zones two and three, so as to increase mobility and connectivity In order to collect data on public transportation mode choice and passenger routes, a survey was created and distributed online via social media platforms, as well as in-person at two major transit stations. A sample size of 150 participants was used, with participants ranging from the age of under 18 to 64 years of age. Additionally, the survey created and the recommendations outlined were informed by research compiled from a literature review.

Text

University of British Columbia. GEOG 419

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0300245

Arts, Faculty of; Geography, Department of

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/