Farepaying

Farepaying refers to the act of a passenger purchasing a ticket or making a payment to use a public transportation service. This system is fundamental to the operation of many transit networks, including buses, trains, subways, trams, ferries, and even some ride-sharing services. The revenue generated from farepaying passengers typically contributes to the operating costs of the service, such as fuel, maintenance, and staff wages, and can also fund expansions or improvements.

Various methods are employed for farepaying. Historically, this involved purchasing physical tickets or tokens from a station agent or machine. Modern systems increasingly utilize electronic fare collection, such as contactless smart cards (e.g., Oyster card, Suica), mobile ticketing applications, or contactless payment with credit or debit cards. The fare itself can be calculated based on distance traveled, zones, time of day, or a flat rate for a specific journey or period. Concessionary fares are often available for certain groups, such as students, seniors, or individuals with disabilities. The enforcement of farepaying is usually carried out by inspectors or transit staff to ensure compliance and prevent fare evasion.