Impact of a Loan-Based Public Transport Fare System on Fare Evasion: Experience of Transantiago, Santiago, Chile

Abstract

With the arrival of Transantiago, the integrated public transport system of Santiago, Chile, a new payment method was implemented: the smart card. A critical aspect for smart cards is the loading network. Transantiago had a weak loading network, and, to tackle fare evasion, a loan was given through the smart card to those with insufficient funds, to complete one additional trip. The benefit was active from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. (the next day). No extensive analyses have examined the benefit—specifically whether the operating hours were optimal to reduce fare evasion. On May 1, 2014, an unannounced pilot plan extended the time window of the benefit until 11 a.m. Data analysis showed that this extension could effectively reduce fare evasion, as new smart card users took advantage of the benefit, effectively lowering failed trip attempts of users with positive but insufficient funds, and slightly increasing failed trip attempts by users with negative funds (who previously used the benefit). Estimates showed that 6,000 trips per day were no longer evaded as a result of the extension. On November 24, 2014, the benefit was publicly announced, after which failed trip attempts increased. Suggestions for the future are made to reduce fare evasion.

Towards a equitable approach to tackling the fare evasion problem: a scoping literature review and case study analysis

“…This evidence suggests that fines may not be necessary to curb fare evasion. Bucknell, Munoz, Schmidt, Navarro, and Simonetti (2016), on the other hand, have examined the impact of the introduction of an innovative method of curbing accidental fare evasion, also in the context of Santiago. In their introduction, they note the importance of a solid load network when it comes to supporting a public transit system that uses smart cards, as an insufficient load network can often lead to higher rates of fare evasion (Bucknell et al, 2016).…”

“…Transantiago's Bip! Card was introduced in 2007, and following this, loading stations were introduced to all subway stations and some retail stores (Bucknell et al, 2016). Although there were plans to introduce loading stations to all buses as well, this was not implemented due to high costs (Bucknell et al, 2016).…”

“…Card was introduced in 2007, and following this, loading stations were introduced to all subway stations and some retail stores (Bucknell et al, 2016). Although there were plans to introduce loading stations to all buses as well, this was not implemented due to high costs (Bucknell et al, 2016). According to Bucknell et al (2016), approximately half of bus stops in Santiago are located more than 250 metres away from a loading station.…”

“…Although there were plans to introduce loading stations to all buses as well, this was not implemented due to high costs (Bucknell et al, 2016). According to Bucknell et al (2016), approximately half of bus stops in Santiago are located more than 250 metres away from a loading station. The assumption here was that many individuals with insufficient funds on their fare cards, usually those who had forgotten to load them, would end up resorting to fare evasion instead of making the trip to a loading station (Bucknell et al 2016).…”

Fare evasion in public transport systems: a review of the literature

“…A GISbased map helps to show the most critical points of the network to enforce checks, when this ratio is lower than 1. Bucknell et al (2015Bucknell et al ( , 2016a noticed that the loading network of smart cards is a critical issue and can favour fare evasion. Unintentional fare evasion can be reduced by credit to passengers with positive but insufficient funds, to complete one additional trip.…”