Off-Board Fare Payment Using Proof-of-Payment Verification

Abstract

Completed in 2011, TCRP Synthesis 96: Off-Board Fare Payment Using Proof-of-Payment Verification, reported on a comprehensive state-of-the practice study of all North American transit operators using proof-of-payment (POP) verification. The subject of off-board fare payment and POP verification typically leads to inquiries related to fare evasion. However, the subject is significantly more complex than evasion rates. It involves related subjects such as inspection rates, enforcement techniques, duties of fare inspection personnel, adjudication processes, and the sort of penalties involved for evasion. Plus, there is a need for acquiring capital equipment, mainly ticket vending machines and, perhaps, handheld verification devices if the operator uses smart cards as part of its fare media. Since the late 1970s POP verification has become the standard fare collection technique employed by all modern light rail transit systems in North America. Further, POP has been extended to other transit modes: regular bus, bus rapid transit, heavy rail transit, modern streetcars, and commuter rail services. There are currently 30 North American transit operators relying on off-board fare payment using POP verification. TCRP Synthesis 96 provided a summary of the stateof- practice among the POP operators, a summary of common practices as observed from the case study POP operators, and recommendations for additional research. In addition, TCRP Synthesis 96 can be of practical use for those operators considering POP fare collection for a new transit service, especially a medium-capacity service with multi-door boarding, and can be a resource for existing POP operators.

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