Post by bzcat on May 14, 2012 15:46:01 GMT -8
I think instead of a full on distance based fare system (e.g Tokyo), we can implement a pretty simple zone based fare that would address some inequality inherent in the current flat $1.50 charge. Here is some basic premise of my idea:
1. Rail and busway (orange + silver) will require zone charge, tap in AND tap out.
2. Regular buses will retain flat charge (no zones) and tap in only.
3. Free transfers inside rail and busway "sterile" zone.
4. Free transfers (or reduced fare) if you tap out of rail/busway and transfer to a bus within a set amount of time (for example 45 minutes which I think is the case in London).
5. There will be a buffer zone of 2 stations between zones so if you begin and end your trip between buffer stations, there is no zone charge. For example if you go from Universal City to Hollywood Vine (2 different zones in my plan), you will only be charged $1.50 not $3.00. 2-station buffer zone is also how London does it (with certain exceptions where you may have 3 station buffer zones).
6. I selected the zones and buffer station in order to preserve the most typical ridership patterns now, except for the Blue line which is too long to fit into my model without breaking up into 2 zones.
7. Downtown LA has a "bubble" zone - once the trains reach 7th Metro from west/south and Union station from north/east, it is in a "bubble". You still pay for travel within the zone but you won't incur an additional zone charge if you go pass Civic Center from another zone. see below
Here are the zones [Updated with some suggestions from the field]:
SFV: Entire length of Orange line plus North Hollywood to Studio City leg of Red line. So basically, you can ride for $1.50 from Warner Center to Universal City... this makes sense if you consider that you can do the same right now on a 750 bus. Free transfer between Red and Orange will require use of TAP card (unless the direct portal is constructed)
Central: Central zone should encompass the most heavily traveled portion of Red and Purple line so basically everything South of Universal City station toCivic Center Mac Arthur Park. The southern boundary could be Florence Expo line. The western boundary of Central zone is TBD... but La Brea or Fairfax may be a good place in the future.
Western: Everything north ofFlorence Expo line and west of La Cienega for now. This is only theoretical right now because there is no rail service west of La Cienega. But in the future, I think there is a good argument to set the zone at Fairfax on the Purple line because of Crenshaw line, which may cross several zones. Fairfax is also roughly halfway between Santa Monica and Downtown LA. On the Expo line, the zone should stay at La Cienega.
SGV:Everything on the Gold line and Silver line to Civic Center (or Broadway station on the Downtown connector). On the Gold line, the zone stops at Pico/Aliso and Lincoln/Cypress stations. On the Silver line, the zone stops at LAC USC Medical Center.
Southern Gateway: Everything south of Florence Pico Station on the Blue and east of Crenshaw station on Green line. Plus future Crenshaw line (up to Expo).
South Bay: Green line west of Crenshaw station and Crenshaw line to Expo line.
Downtown: The "bubble" is formed by MacArthur station on the Red/Purple, Pico/Aliso and Lincoln/Cypress on the Gold, Grand/23rd st stations on Expo/Blue, LAC USC Medical Center on Silver. Trains entering and exiting Downtown zone will not incur a zone charge. Basically the stations after the one named above form one big transfer zone if you are already in the system. You can freely transfer between any line within the Downtown "bubble" (Pico/7th St/Pershing/Civic Center/Bunker Hill/Broadway/Little Tokyo/Union Station/Chinatown). Transfer to/from Silver line to rail lines will require use of TAP card.
Here is some example of how the fare system would work:
Atlantic to Metro Center
Now: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Zone fare: $1.50 (no transfer - assuming Downtown Connector is completed)
Explanation: Although in 2 different zones (SGV andCentral Downtown), Metro Center is within the Downtown "bubble" zone.
Hollywood/Vine to North Hollywood
Now: $1.50
Zone fare: $3.00
Explanation: Central zone to SFV zone
Hollywood Vine to Universal City
Now: $1.50
Zone fare: $1.50
Explanation: Central to SFV zone but within the 2 station buffer zone (Hollywood/Highland, Universal City).
Wilshire/Western to Hollywood/Highland
Now: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Zone fare: $1.50 (1 transfer)
Explanation: The entire trip is within the Central zone
Warner Center to Union Station
Now: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Zone fare: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Explanation: This trip will cross 3 zones (SFV, Central, Downtown) but Union Station is in the Downtown "bubble" zone.
Long Beach Transit Mall to 7th St Metro Center
Now: $1.50 (no transfer)
Zone fare:$3.00 $1.50 (no transfer)
Explanation:This one sucks for long time riders but the argument is that they've had it real good for a long time. Same as now. Train crossed from Gateway zone to Downtown zone but it is in the "bubble".
Jefferson/La Cienega to Sierra Madre Villa
Now: $4.50 (2 transfers)
Zone fare: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Explanation: Central zone to Downtown zone to SGV zone but no zone charge for crossing Downtown. If you start the trip in Culver City, then it will be $4.50, same as now.
El Monte station to Century City
Now: $3.95 (1 transfer - Silver line to 728)
Zone fare: $4.50 (1 transfer assuming the purple line is extended)
Explanation: Crosses 4 zones (SGV to Downtown to Central to Western) but no charge for crossing Downtown zone. Works out to be about the same cost as now but much faster ride.
Union Station to 7th St Metro Center
Now: $1.50
Zone fare: $1.50
Explanation: No change from now but we will have choice of 3 different routes (Red/Purple, Expo/Blue, and Silver) that will all have the same charge. Plus regular Metro buses.
Comments and suggestions welcome!
1. Rail and busway (orange + silver) will require zone charge, tap in AND tap out.
2. Regular buses will retain flat charge (no zones) and tap in only.
3. Free transfers inside rail and busway "sterile" zone.
4. Free transfers (or reduced fare) if you tap out of rail/busway and transfer to a bus within a set amount of time (for example 45 minutes which I think is the case in London).
5. There will be a buffer zone of 2 stations between zones so if you begin and end your trip between buffer stations, there is no zone charge. For example if you go from Universal City to Hollywood Vine (2 different zones in my plan), you will only be charged $1.50 not $3.00. 2-station buffer zone is also how London does it (with certain exceptions where you may have 3 station buffer zones).
6. I selected the zones and buffer station in order to preserve the most typical ridership patterns now
Here are the zones [Updated with some suggestions from the field]:
SFV: Entire length of Orange line plus North Hollywood to Studio City leg of Red line. So basically, you can ride for $1.50 from Warner Center to Universal City... this makes sense if you consider that you can do the same right now on a 750 bus. Free transfer between Red and Orange will require use of TAP card (unless the direct portal is constructed)
Central: Central zone should encompass the most heavily traveled portion of Red and Purple line so basically everything South of Universal City station to
Western: Everything north of
SGV:
South Bay: Green line west of Crenshaw station and Crenshaw line to Expo line.
Downtown: The "bubble" is formed by MacArthur station on the Red/Purple, Pico/Aliso and Lincoln/Cypress on the Gold, Grand/23rd st stations on Expo/Blue, LAC USC Medical Center on Silver. Trains entering and exiting Downtown zone will not incur a zone charge. Basically the stations after the one named above form one big transfer zone if you are already in the system. You can freely transfer between any line within the Downtown "bubble" (Pico/7th St/Pershing/Civic Center/Bunker Hill/Broadway/Little Tokyo/Union Station/Chinatown). Transfer to/from Silver line to rail lines will require use of TAP card.
Here is some example of how the fare system would work:
Atlantic to Metro Center
Now: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Zone fare: $1.50 (no transfer - assuming Downtown Connector is completed)
Explanation: Although in 2 different zones (SGV and
Hollywood/Vine to North Hollywood
Now: $1.50
Zone fare: $3.00
Explanation: Central zone to SFV zone
Hollywood Vine to Universal City
Now: $1.50
Zone fare: $1.50
Explanation: Central to SFV zone but within the 2 station buffer zone (Hollywood/Highland, Universal City).
Wilshire/Western to Hollywood/Highland
Now: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Zone fare: $1.50 (1 transfer)
Explanation: The entire trip is within the Central zone
Warner Center to Union Station
Now: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Zone fare: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Explanation: This trip will cross 3 zones (SFV, Central, Downtown) but Union Station is in the Downtown "bubble" zone.
Long Beach Transit Mall to 7th St Metro Center
Now: $1.50 (no transfer)
Zone fare:
Explanation:
Jefferson/La Cienega to Sierra Madre Villa
Now: $4.50 (2 transfers)
Zone fare: $3.00 (1 transfer)
Explanation: Central zone to Downtown zone to SGV zone but no zone charge for crossing Downtown. If you start the trip in Culver City, then it will be $4.50, same as now.
El Monte station to Century City
Now: $3.95 (1 transfer - Silver line to 728)
Zone fare: $4.50 (1 transfer assuming the purple line is extended)
Explanation: Crosses 4 zones (SGV to Downtown to Central to Western) but no charge for crossing Downtown zone. Works out to be about the same cost as now but much faster ride.
Union Station to 7th St Metro Center
Now: $1.50
Zone fare: $1.50
Explanation: No change from now but we will have choice of 3 different routes (Red/Purple, Expo/Blue, and Silver) that will all have the same charge. Plus regular Metro buses.
Comments and suggestions welcome!