What is behind fare evasion in urban bus systems? An econometric approach

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Author

Pablo Guarda
Patricia Galilea
Laurel Paget-Seekins
Juan de Dios Ortúzar

Tipo de elemento

Journal Article

DOI

10.1016/j.tra.2015.10.008

ISSN

0965-8564

Abstract Note

Fare evasion is a problem in many public transport systems around the world and policies to reduce it are generally aimed at improving control and increasing fines. We use an econometric approach to attempt explaining the high levels of evasion in Santiago, Chile, and guide public policy formulation to reduce this problem. In particular, a negative binomial count regression model allowed us to find that fare evasion rates on buses increase as: (i) more people board (or alight) at a given bus door, (ii) more passengers board by a rear door, (iii) buses have higher occupancy levels (and more doors) and (iv) passengers experience longer headways. By controlling these variables (ceteris paribus), results indicate that evasion is greater during the afternoon and evening, but it is not clear that it is higher during peak hours. Regarding socioeconomic variables, we found that fare evasion at bus stops located in higher income areas (municipalities) is significantly lower than in more deprived areas. Finally, based on our results we identified five main methods to address evasion as alternatives to more dedicated fine enforcement or increased inspection; (i) increasing the bus fleet, (ii) improving the bus headway regularity, (iii) implementing off-board payment stations, (iv) changing the payment system on board and (v) changing the bus design (number of doors or capacity). Our model provides a powerful tool to predict the reduction of fare evasion due to the implementation of some of these five operational strategies, and can be applied to other bus public transport systems.

Access Date

2015-12-28 21:50:45

Journal Abbreviation

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

Library Catalog

ScienceDirect

Publication Title

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

Short Title

What is behind fare evasion in urban bus systems?

Título

What is behind fare evasion in urban bus systems? An econometric approach

URL

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096585641500258X

Attachment Title

ScienceDirect Snapshot

Attachment URL

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Archivos

Citación

Pablo Guarda et al., “What is behind fare evasion in urban bus systems? An econometric approach,” Omeka para Cedeus, consulta 30 de noviembre de 2023, http://pubs.cedeus.cl/omeka/document/65.

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