Fareanalyse

Fareanalyse is the systematic examination of pricing for transportation services to understand its effects on demand, revenue, and welfare. It encompasses the study of fare structures (flat, distance-based, zonal, time-based), subsidies, and revenue management practices in sectors such as public transit, airlines, and ride-hailing. The term is common in German-speaking planning contexts, but the idea is used globally under 'fare analysis' or 'fare policy analysis.'

Methods and data: Analysts collect ticket transactions, smart card logs, timetable data, and survey information; then apply econometric models, price elasticity calculations, and optimization techniques. Common approaches include demand estimation with discrete choice models, scenario analysis for zone or toll changes, and revenue simulations to forecast impacts on ridership and subsidy costs. Equity and affordability metrics are often incorporated to assess distributional effects.

Applications: fareanalyse informs policy decisions such as fare reform, discounts for students or seniors, cross-subsidization between services, peak pricing, and value-based pricing. It supports revenue forecasting, budget planning, and evaluation of alternative pricing strategies under different traffic, congestion, and external factors.

Limitations and challenges: data quality and privacy concerns can limit accuracy; behavioral responses to price changes may be uncertain; model assumptions and transferability across contexts can reduce reliability. The field continues to evolve with new data sources (contactless payments, mobile apps) and advanced methods (machine learning, dynamic optimization).