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This study aims to evaluate the effects of bus electronic fare
collection system on passenger service time. A mathematical
model of ticketing and validation process for bus
passenger is developed and used to analyze electronic fare
system and other possible alternatives. Field survey is
conducted to compare the current practice of token system
and the electronic fare collection system. It is shown that
the average passenger service times for the token and
electronic fare systems are 0.67 seconds and 4.10 s econds,
respectively. It is also indicated that the average
alighting times for the electronic system under various
processing assumptions are significantly higher than the
current token practice. With the mathematical model
developed in this study, comparisons of various
improvement alternatives are conducted. It is suggested for
the short run that increasing the cycle period of
printing information on the ticket and integrating
student pass with the electronic fare system are better
options and can effect ively improve the efficiency of
passenger service time up to more 20%. It is also suggested
in the long run that re-design of the in/out configuration of
fare validation machine and use of contactless ticketing
system are feasible solutions and can have the service time
improved up to 35% to 45%. The evaluation model developed
and the results obtained in this research can provide
government and bus company useful information for
formulating implementation policy of electronic fare
collection systems.
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