Evaluation of Automatic Fare Collection Technology. Volume 1A. Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations: Subway and Bus

摘要

The report is one in a series of 9 reports resulting from an evaluation of automatic fare collection (AFC) technology. The evaluation assessed the technical and cost aspects of alternative AFC system concepts for use in the New York subway, bus, and commuter rail systems along with the marketing and revenue aspects of these alternatives. Overall, the study recommends that: (1) the cornerstone of the MTA AFC system be the magnetic card; (2) the initial AFC systems be simple, rugged, and well-proven; (3) the establishment of a fare collection equipment group; and (4) the use of the private sector as much as possible for systems, hardware, and service. While much of the technology evaluated in this study applied to all modes, different sets of alternative system concepts for each mode were examined and are reported in seven other volumes.