An Equity Analysis for MBTA's Automated Fare Collection (AFC) 2.0.
Ko, Lily.
2019
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The MBTA is implementing a new fare payment system, AFC 2.0. One major change to speed up service will be going to a cashless model. Fareboxes will be removed so riders will no longer be allowed to pay with cash on-board and will be expected to reload Charlie Cards pre-boarding. This thesis provides a review of transit agencies that have moved to this model, with policy implications for the MBTA. ... read moreIt also illuminates the implications of farebox removal by analyzing MBTA FY2018 farebox cash transactions, and demonstrates the equity gaps in AFC2's public-private contract that may leave unbanked and other cash-dependent, vulnerable riders behind. A data-driven method to prioritize stops for equitable access is created using spatial and temporal analysis of MBTA ridership and payment data, and informed by a focus group with community advocates. Different types of coverage principles are provided through a scenario analysis of stop prioritization for supplemental fare vending machines or points-of-sale. Finally, policy recommendations are made for this optimization—and values-based—problem that lies at the MBTA's hands.
Thesis (M.A.)--Tufts University, 2019.
Submitted to the Dept. of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning.
Advisor: Penn Loh.
Committee: Laurie Goldman.
Keywords: Transportation, and Urban planning.read less - ID:
- 8623j980v
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