Fares

Fares are prices charged for the use of transportation services or related eligibility. In public transit and rail networks, fares fund operations, maintenance, and service provision and may be collected at entry, during travel, or at exit. The amount is influenced by mode, distance, time of day, and passenger status. Payment methods include cash, magnetic or smart cards, contactless payments, and mobile apps.

Fare structures vary by system. Flat fares charge a single price for a trip regardless of distance. Distance-based plans price by the length of travel. Zone-based schemes use geographic zones as the unit of pricing, while time-based systems apply peak and off-peak rates. Many operators offer passes or fare caps that limit total expenditure within a period and provide discounts for students, seniors, disabled travelers, or low-income riders.

Fare collection relies on validation devices and fare enforcement. Transfers allow continuation on other services within set time limits. Fare evasion reduces revenue and is addressed through pricing controls, audits, and penalties. Some regions adopt integrated or regional fares that are valid across multiple operators or modes, with interoperable smart cards or apps.

In transport policy, fares are set to balance operating costs, subsidies, equity, and ridership goals. They may be regulated or guided by authorities and can be subject to political oversight. Dynamic pricing is used in some sectors, notably airlines and ride-hailing, where prices reflect demand, supply, and service class at the time of booking.