Integration of Urban Public Transportation – An Overview

Abstract

Fare integration means one fare paid for all the modes of Public transport. Fare integration makes the fast, easy and comfortable journey in different modes of public transport in large cities. Fare integration can be achieved by optimizing the ticket costs of various modes and permitting a passenger to use a shared ticket or card. This creates increased equity and better services overall. The major hassle in the process of fare integration is the barriers to its implementation such as administrative, political, and commercial. However, once the fare integration process is accomplished it facilitates the traveler with comfort, convenience, and a reduction in travel time. Fare integration in urban public transport systems in Europe, the USA, Australia, and Latin American countries is quite common and popular. However, in India, the system has to be implemented in Metropolitan as well as developing cities. In the developing cities of India usually low to middle-income community uses public transport. If proper fare integration is implemented, the people will be benefitted the most. The present paper is an attempt to study the literature regarding the case studies of planning and implementation of the process of fare integration worldwide to implement in Indian conditions. The paper discusses a body of literature that is reviewed to ascertain the pros and cons of the fare integration process. This is likely to be implemented in the City of Indore.