All posts in the topic PETITION FOR STUDENT BUS DISCOUNT (Short link)

From: 'Just Blair' Anderson Date: Jul 04 08:44 UTC Short link

Strategic pricing of bus fares should not be based on cost plus "accounting of
running buses and counting customers" alone. What should be factored into the
cost is the cost of displacing each and every motor vehicle. There should be
factored in the opportunity values and costs of displacing motor vehicles off
the network and parking.. Not doing so subsidises non-public transport.

Think of it this way. The bus is providing a service not only to the commuter
on the bus, but to the community by making the existing investment in the road
network more useful (efficient) and durable. This has clear economic benefits
to everyone, not just to the person riding the bus.

Is there a better way of pricing the bus? Is a seat worth more at peak time? Is
a long journey worth the same than a short journey? What pricing provides the
optimal social benefits at the least cost?

I think there are several ways to move beyond ‘cost plus’ accounting thinking.

Off peak travel 'discounts' should be auctioned. It incentives behaviors that
are desirable to the bus and non-bus networks.  By load shedding  non-priority
users away from peak times it meets every-ones needs. Ensuring peak time users
optimal travel efficiency makes good sense for all road users..

Public transport should integrate with non-public transport (ie Intercity Bus,
Train and Air networks). There should be more localised hubbing/exchange around
'supermarket/shopping complexes’ with “Park & Ride” facilities attached and
micro-journey options (ie minibus) serving the immediate environs.

Civic facilities should be treated as 'stationary buses'. ie: Museum, QEII, Art
Gallery etc,  so that entry is 'free' within (say) two hours of bus travel.
(yep, that's a simple metrocard reader at each entry point).

While delivering real incentives to use public transport to-from these venues
for the locals,  it allows for tourism revenue streams at these venues, and
reduces rates burden 'proportionally' for locals. The same revenue option, in
reverse, could be used at “Park & Ride”. If you used the departing a point, and
you return to that point you get to park for 'cheaper' or even free. The more
one uses it in patterns, ie: predictably, the more the network responds to
collective needs. (software exists that does this, it is called neural netting)

FURTHER, short journeys should be so cheap it is utterly unaffordable to start
the car. (ie: home -> mall)  The metro card COULD do this as it knows the
commencement of the journey time-- it only requires a metro reader at the mall
hubs that could extend the time window for next free travel, or discount it, or
even credit it.

Some hubs could have temporary designations ie: "all Red Bus egresses at
AMI-Stadium" in the preceding two hours before kickoff.   Think of the social
benefits and cost offsets from not having to POLICE the congestion. I call this
the ‘smart cities’ approach that empowers people, the carriers of the smart
object offsetting road network congestion from major events... same with Royal
Show, NZ Cup week, World Rugby Cup, Ilam University etc etc...

It is the writers belief such innovative thinking could terraform travel
behaviors in this city while making the metro card concept highly merchantable.
Interesting twists could be schemed up - like, if you take a bus to the
airport, you get one days free urban travel in lieu. This is particularly handy
for any city that owns its airport infrastructure! (think out loud: Dunedin’s
proposed Stadium / transport hub! ? The idea has already been canvassed for
AMI/RAIL but the scope for a facility then has so much more potential to fit a
city's needs. )

Not wishing to labour the point, but the concept of ‘stationary buses’ was one
of my 'mayoral initiatives' that I can now say that where it was 'canvassed',
it received an encouraging response.

With the ability of the GPS 'location' and 'route' pricing, this  is a whole
new ball game in getting people out of cars. I can only imagine the useful ways
this city could drive this concept. One would need to start by keeping
accountants away from ticket pricing... .

As always, your milage may vary but, I'll like to leave the reader with this
thought.
"If I were Mayor... I'd be telling people how to get on, and where to get off!"
/;-)