Big Blue Bus
Title VI Fare Equity Analysis
Simplified fare structure
December 2021
Table of Contents
Table of Contents..........................................................................................................................................1 Purpose .........................................................................................................................................................2 Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................................2 Background ...................................................................................................................................................3 Fare Structure ...............................................................................................................................................3 Fare Utilization..............................................................................................................................................4 Proposed Fare Media Changes.....................................................................................................................4 Methodology.................................................................................................................................................5 Data Sources.............................................................................................................................................5 Definitions.................................................................................................................................................6 Title VI Policies..............................................................................................................................................6 Fare Equity Disparate Impact Policy .....................................................................................................6 Fare Equity Disproportionate Burden Policy ........................................................................................7 Fare Equity Analysis......................................................................................................................................7 Disparate Impact Analysis.........................................................................................................................7 Disparate Impact Findings.....................................................................................................................7 Disparate Impact Conclusion ................................................................................................................8 Disproportionate Burden Analysis............................................................................................................9 Disproportionate Burden Findings........................................................................................................9 Disproportionate Burden Conclusion .................................................................................................10 Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................11 Appendix .....................................................................................................................................................12
Purpose
In the summer of 2021, Big Blue Bus implemented a purely contactless fare system as part of a six-month pilot program. As a result, BBB eliminated all on-board cash fares and BBB magnetic fare cards. During this pilot period, riders have only been able to pay their fare using either the regional TAP fare payment system or mobile ticketing. Cash and magnetic fare cards are no longer accepted on-board. Six-months later, BBB is now planning to fully adopt the changes made during the contactless pilot and is also proposing new changes to simplify the existing fare structure.
The newly proposed changes are subject to a fare equity analysis as defined by BBB’s Major Service and Fare Change Policy. The fare equity analysis, contained herein, is required to ensure compliance with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Title VI regulations as defined by FTA Circular 4702.1B. The purpose of this analysis is to determine whether the proposed changes result in a disparate impact on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin, or a disproportionate burden on the defined low-income population.
Executive Summary
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that receives Federal funds or other Federal financial assistance. In compliance with this law, Big Blue Bus has conducted a Title VI analysis of the proposed fare changes.
This analysis found that some of the proposed changes exceed BBB’s disparate impact and disproportionate burden thresholds and, as such, require additional analysis to determine how the minority and low-income populations will be impacted by the changes. This additional analysis found that most of the proposed changes will benefit the minority and low-income populations. Only one proposed change, the elimination of the existing 13 Ride Pass, would result in a disparate impact. As a result, BBB has proposed a new 10 Ride Pass, as a replacement fare product for the existing 13 Ride pass, to mitigate the impact.
As defined by BBB policy, the changes being proposed will not result in a disparate impact on the minority population or a disproportionate burden on the low-income population.
Background
Due to COVID-19, BBB suspended fare collection on March 20, 2020 to slow the spread of disease. This led BBB staff to reexamine strategies for shifting more passengers to contactless fare media. Contactless fare payment options have several benefits. They can reduce dwell times, improve on-time performance, and will ultimately result in faster travel timesfor passengers riding the bus. Contactless fares also operate separately from the on-board farebox and are, therefore, not susceptible to farebox malfunctions which result in lost revenue. A goal was set to pilot the elimination of on-board cash fares and the elimination of magnetic fare cards soon after the fare collection resumed on February 14, 2021. On July 12, 2021, BBB eliminated on-board cash fares and magnetic fare cards as part of a six-month pilot program.
A follow-up passenger survey was conducted in September 2021 to gauge customer reaction to the contactless pilot program, the results of which can be found in the “Appendix” section of this report. Of all surveyed riders, only 13.8% indicted that the contactless fare program affected them either “Negatively” or “Somewhat negatively”. The majority of riders, 79.1%, selected the neutral option that the program affected them “Neither negative nor Positive”. While 64.4% of riders wanted BBB to return to accepting cash fare payments, 64.2% would not use cash again, 27.4% would use cash for some trips, and 8.4% would use cash for most trips. As such, BBB does not intend to return to collecting on-board cash fares and plans to fully adopt the changes made during the contactless pilot.
With the information gained through the contactless fare pilot and corresponding passenger surveys, BBB is now planning to simplify the existing fare structure through several proposed changes. These changes seek to: 1) reduce the number of available fare options through the elimination of existing fare products, 2) adjust pricing to encourage a higher rate of adoption of BBB’s pass products.
Fare Structure
BBB fares vary based on rider classification and fare category. Rider classifications include: Regular (age 19-61), Youth (age 5-18), Senior 62+/Disabled/Medicare (shown as S/D/M), and Child (age 4 and under).
Current fare categories include: Single Trip, Day Pass, 7-Day Pass, 13 Ride Pass, 30-Day Pass, and Annual Pass. Fare prices vary based on rider classification and fare category. Customers with a valid Access ID ride for free and children ages 4 and under ride for free as well, which will expand to age 5 and under in the proposed changes.
Fare Category Regular Fare S/D/M Fare
Single Trip $1.10 $0.50
Day Pass $4.00 $1.50
7-Day Pass $14.00 -
13 Ride Pass $14.00 $6.00
30-Day Pass $50.00 $24.00
Annual Pass $500.00 -
Youth 30-Day Pass $19.00 -
Figure 1: Existing BBB Fare Pricing as of December 2021
Fare Utilization
When fare collection resumed on February 14, 2021, cash ridership, as a percentage of total ridership, was significantly higher than it was before fare collection was suspended. Ridership on UCLA and SMC passes previously made up 23% of the total systemwide ridership. In the absence of those rider populations, at institutions closed due to the pandemic, a large number of contactless fare riders had been removed from the system, leaving behind a majority of cash riders. When BBB conducted the March 2021 Passenger Survey, 57.0% of riders indicted that they used cash to pay their fares on-board. BBB subsequently eliminated on-board cash fares as part of the contactless fare pilot program and cash riders had to migrate to one of BBB’s alternative fare payment options. The most popular fares, according to the recent September 2021 Passenger Survey, are the Single Trip fare, “Other” fares (UCLA, SMC, ACCESS), and the 30-Day Pass, in that order.
Fare Category Number of Riders Percent of All Riders
Single Trip 283 46.7%
Day Pass 33 5.5%
7-Day Pass 50 8.2%
13 Ride Pass 15 2.5%
30-Day Pass 76 12.5%
Annual Pass 0 0%
Youth 30-Day Pass 35 5.8%
Metro EZ Pass 15 2.5%
Other 99 16.3%
Total 606 100%
Figure 2: BBB Fare Utilization Comparison from September 2021 Survey Proposed Fare Media Changes
The newly proposed fare changes include: 1) the elimination of the Day Pass, 7-Day Pass, and Annual Pass, 2) the elimination and replacement of the 13 Ride Pass with a new 10 Ride Pass, 3) an decrease of $0.10 for the Single Trip (Regular) fare, 4) a decrease of $20.00 for the 30-Day Pass (Regular), 5) a decrease of $4.00 for the 30-Day Pass (S/D/M), 6) the introduction and acceptance of the Metro Day Pass, 7) the introduction of free BBB-to-BBB transfers for riders using the Single Trip fare or 10 Ride Pass.
The proposed changes are intended to simplify the existing fare structure through the elimination of underutilized fare products. The Day Pass, 7-Day Pass, and Annual Pass, which are proposed for elimination, account for 13.7% of all rides. These riders are expected to shift to the existing Single Ride fare, 30-Day Pass, or BBB’s new 10 Ride Pass. Simplifying the fare structure will reduce customer confusion and makes it easier for customers to select the fare best suited to their transportation needs. Other proposed changes include price changes for certain fares and the introduction of two new fare products.
These changes will align prices across the fare product spectrum and expand BBB’s current offerings for customers that transfer between BBB-to-BBB buses or BBB-to-Metro buses or trains.
Fare Category
Regular Fares S/D/M Fares
On-Board
Cash Fare
TAP & Mobile
Ticket Fare
On-Board
Cash Fare
TAP & Mobile
Ticket Fare
Single Trip Eliminated
July 2021
Decrease $0.10
($1.00)
Eliminated
July 2021
No Change
($0.50)
Day Pass -
Eliminated
($4.00) -
Eliminated
($1.50)
7-Day Pass -
Eliminated
($14.00) - -
10 Ride Pass -
New
($9.00) -
New
($4.50)
13 Ride Pass -
Eliminated
($14.00) -
Eliminated
($6.00)
30-Day Pass -
Decrease $20.00
($30.00) -
Decrease $4.00
($20.00)
Annual Pass -
Eliminated
($500.00) - -
Youth 30-Day Pass -
No change
($19.00) - -
Metro Day Pass -
New
($7.00) -
New
($2.50)
Metro EZ Pass -
No change
($110.00) -
No change
($42.00)
Interagency Transfer -
No change
($0.50) -
No change
($0.25)
BBB to BBB Transfer -
New
(Free with fare) -
New
(Free with fare)
Figure 3: Proposed Changes to BBB Fare Structure (change in red / new price in parentheses) Methodology
Data Sources
The following fare equity analysis was completed using passenger survey data collected from the September 2021 Passenger Survey.
The following information was obtained from the passenger survey for use in the fare equity analysis:
• Method of fare payment
• Fare category
• Rider race/ethnicity
• Household income
• Household size
Rider demographics were combined with the fare category to determine the systemwide, minority, and low-income fare utilization for all fare payment options. The resulting comparison of fare utilization
between minority and non-minority riders, and low-income and non-low-income riders, will establish whether the proposed changes result in a disparate impact or disproportionate burden as defined by BBB’s adopted policies.
Definitions
In performing the fare equity analysis, minority riders are defined as survey respondents who completed the race/ethnicity question and marked any category besides White-alone. Low-income riders are defined as survey respondents who completed the household income and household size questions and are deemed eligible to participate in the Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) program.
The household income limits established by the LIFE program are the same guidelines that BBB uses to determine which riders define the low-income population.
Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE)
Household Income Limits
Persons per
Household Annual Income
1 $39,450 or less
2 $45,050 or less
3 $50,700 or less
4 $56,300 or less
5 $60,850 or less
6 $65,350 or less
Figure 4: 2021 LIFE Household Income Limits
Title VI Policies
As required by the FTA Title VI regulations, the public was engaged in the development of BBB’s disparate impact and disproportionate burden policies. These two policies will determine if the proposed fare media changes result in a disparate impact or disproportionate burden.
Fare Equity Disparate Impact Policy:
“A disparate impact occurs when the percent minority population adversely impacted by a major service change is fifteen percent (15%) higher than the average minority population of the Big Blue Bus service area, or when the percent non-minority population beneficially impacted by a major service change is fifteen percent (15%) higher than the average non-minority population of the Big Blue Bus service area.
If a disparate impact exists as a result of the proposed changes, Big Blue Bus will determine whether there are alternatives that would serve the same legitimate objectives but with less disparate impact on the minority population. If there are no viable alternatives, Big Blue Bus must have a substantial legitimate justification for making the proposed change.”
Fare Equity Disproportionate Burden Policy:
“A disproportionate burden occurs when the percent low-income population adversely impacted by a major service change is fifteen percent (15%) higher than the average low-income population of the Big Blue Bus service area, or when the percent non-low-income population beneficially impacted by a major service change is fifteen percent (15%) higher than the average non-low-income population of the Big Blue Bus service area.
If a disproportionate burden exists as a result of the proposed changes, Big Blue Bus may take steps to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the impact of the proposed change on the low-income population.” Fare Equity Analysis
The fare equity analysis will determine whether the minority and low-income populations will be unfairly impacted by the proposed changes. Changes that result in a 15% difference between the impacted minority and low-income populations and their corresponding systemwide percentages will require further analysis to determine if there is a disparate impact or disproportionate burden.
Disparate Impact Analysis
There were 592 respondents that completed the race/ethnicity question in the September 2021 survey.
Of these total responses, 74.5% of all riders were identified as minority riders.
Figure 5: Systemwide Ridership by Race
Disparate Impact Findings
• Minority riders comprise 74.5% of all systemwide riders • The elimination of the 13 Ride Pass exceeds the 15% Disparate Impact threshold • The decreased price of the 30-Day Pass (S/D/M) exceeds the 15% Disparate Impact threshold • All other proposed changes are below the 15% threshold
74.5%
25.5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Minority Riders
Non-Minority Riders
Percent of All Riders
September 2021 Survey - Ridership by Race
Fare Media Type
Proposed
Change
NonMinority
Riders
Minority
Riders
NonMinority
Percent
Minority
Percent
Minority
vs. NonMinority
Difference
Minority vs.
Systemwide
Difference
Day Pass Eliminate 10 23 30.3% 69.7% +39.4% -4.8%
7-Day Pass Eliminate 12 38 24.0% 76.0% +52.0% +1.5%
Annual Pass Eliminate 0 0 0% 0% 0% 0%
13 Ride Pass Replace 1 14 6.7% 93.3% +86.6% +18.8%
Single Ride
(Regular)
Decrease
of $0.10 54 188 22.3% 77.7% +55.4% +3.2%
30-Day Pass
(Regular)
Decrease
of $20.00 12 53 18.5% 81.5% +63.0% +7.0%
30-Day Pass
(S/D/M)
Decrease
of $4.00 6 5 54.4% 45.5% -8.9% -29.0%
Figure 6: Fare Utilization Comparison by Race
Disparate Impact Conclusion
Based on the 15% threshold, established in the Disparate Impact Policy, the elimination of the 13 Ride Pass would result in a disparate impact. Minority riders constitute 93.3% of all riders using the 13 Ride Pass, a difference of +18.8% compared with the systemwide minority percentage. To mitigate this impact, BBB will introduce a new 10 Ride Pass as a replacement for the 13 Ride Pass. The 10 Ride Pass will be priced at $9.00 (Regular) and $4.50 (S/D/M) and will have a price per ride of $0.90 (Regular) and $0.45 (S/D/M). This pricing is considered a beneficial change over the existing 13 Ride Pass which had a price per ride of $1.08 (Regular) and $0.46 (S/D/M). All riders using the 10 Ride Pass will pay less per ride compared with the 13 Ride Pass. The introduction of the 10 Ride Pass will benefit minority riders to a higher degree than non-minority riders and is considered an adequate measure to mitigate the disparate impact finding.
The only other proposed change that exceeds the 15% threshold is the decreased price for the 30-Day Pass (S/D/M). Minority riders constitute 45.5% of all riders using the 30-Day Pass (S/D/M), a difference of -29.0% compared with the systemwide minority percentage. Since this proposed change results in a price decrease, it is considered a beneficial change that benefits non-minority riders to a higher degree than minority riders. However, the 30-Day Pass (S/D/M) accounts for only 1.8% of total BBB rides and, given that both non-minority and minority riders will benefit from the price decrease, the proposed change is not considered a disparate impact on the minority population.
The introduction and acceptance of the Metro Day Pass on BBB buses is considered a new fare product.
The Metro Day Pass is priced at $7.00 (Regular) and $2.50 (S/D/M). While BBB is planning to eliminate the BBB Day Pass, the Metro Day Pass is not considered a direct replacement for that fare product. Instead, the Metro Day Pass is targeted to infrequent riders, such as tourists, who might purchase this pass from one of Metro’s ticket vending machines. Acceptance of the Metro Day Pass will prevent BBB from turning away these potential riders that may not have access to BBB’s fare products. Since this is a new fare product, its introduction will not result in a disparate impact on the minority population.
The introduction of free BBB-to-BBB transfers with paid fare is also a new fare product. Current riders must pay the full Single Trip fare when transferring from one BBB bus to a second BBB bus. Customers using any of BBB’s current pass products (Day Pass, 7-Day Pass, 30-Day Pass, Annual Pass) do not pay an additional fee to transfer buses since the pass products provide unlimited riding within their allotted time period. Enabling free BBB-to-BBB transfers will benefit Single Trip and 10 Ride Pass riders that transfer between two BBB routes on a one-way journey as those riders will no longer pay an additional fare to ride a second BBB bus. Minority riders make up 77.7% of all Single Trip (Regular) riders and 72.7% of all Single Trip (S/D/M) riders, which is +5.0% higher and -1.8% lower, respectively, than the systemwide minority percentage of 74.5%. Of the 264 riders that selected the Single Trip fare, 118 indicated that they transfer from one BBB bus to another BBB bus “Sometimes”, “Usually”, or “Always”. Of these 118 riders, 96 are minority riders or 81.4%, which is +6.9% higher than the systemwide minority percentage. As such, the introduction of free BBB-to-BBB transfers will benefit minority riders to a higher degree than non-minority riders and will not result in a disparate impact on the minority population.
All other proposed changes are below the 15% threshold and will not result in a disparate impact.
Disproportionate Burden Analysis
There were 385 respondents that completed the household income and household size questions in the September 2021 survey. Of these total responses, 86.5% of all riders were identified as low-income riders (riders whose reported household income met the established thresholds of the LIFE program).
Figure 7: Systemwide Ridership by Income
Disproportionate Burden Findings
• Low-income riders comprise 86.5% of systemwide riders • The decreased price of the 30-Day Pass (Regular) exceeds the 15% Disproportionate Burden threshold
• All other proposed changes are below the 15% threshold
86.5%
13.5%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Low-Income Riders
Non-Low-Income Riders
Percent of All Riders
Septmeber 2021 Survey - Ridership by Income
Fare Media Type
Proposed
Change
NonLowIncome
Riders
LowIncome
Riders
Non-LowIncome
Percent
LowIncome
Percent
Low
Income vs.
Non-LowIncome
Difference
Low-Income
vs.
Systemwide
Difference
Day Pass Eliminate 4 16 20.0% 80.0% +60.0% -6.5%
7-Day Pass Eliminate 5 35 12.5% 87.5% +75.0% +1.0%
Annual Pass Eliminate 0 0 0% 0% 0% 0%
13 Ride Pass Replace 1 9 10.0% 90.0% +80.0% +3.5%
Single Ride
(Regular)
Decrease
of $0.10 17 144 10.6% 89.4% +78.8% +2.9%
30-Day Pass
(Regular)
Decrease
of $20.00 12 30 28.6% 71.4% +42.8% -15.1%
30-Day Pass
(S/D/M)
Decrease
of $4.00 0 7 0% 100% +100% +13.5%
Figure 8: Fare Utilization Comparison by Income
Disproportionate Burden Conclusion
The only proposed change that exceeds the 15% threshold is the decreased price for the 30-Day Pass (Regular). Low-income riders constitute 71.4% of all riders using the 30-Day Pass (Regular), a difference of -15.1% compared with the systemwide low-income percentage. Since this proposed change results in a price decrease, it is considered a beneficial change that will benefit non-low-income riders to a higher degree than low-income riders. Given that both non-low-income and low-income riders will benefit from the price decrease, the proposed change is not considered a disproportionate burden on the low-income population.
As stated in the Disparate Impact analysis, the introduction and acceptance of the Metro Day Pass on BBB buses is considered a new fare product. The Metro Day Pass is priced at $7.00 (Regular) and $2.50 (S/D/M).
While BBB is planning to eliminate the BBB Day Pass, the Metro Day Pass is not considered a direct replacement for that fare product. Instead, the Metro Day Pass is targeted to infrequent riders, such as tourists, who might purchase this pass from one of Metro’s ticket vending machines. Acceptance of the Metro Day Pass will prevent BBB from turning away these potential riders that may not have access to BBB’s fare products. Since this is a new fare product, its introduction will not result in a disproportionate burden on the low-income population.
As also stated in the Disparate Impact analysis, the introduction of free BBB-to-BBB transfers with paid fare is also a new fare product. Current riders must pay the full Single Trip fare when transferring from one BBB bus to another. Customers using any of BBB’s current pass products (Day Pass, 7-Day Pass, 30- Day Pass, Annual Pass) do not pay an additional fee to transfer buses since the pass products provide unlimited riding within their allotted time period. Enabling free BBB-to-BBB transfers will benefit Single Trip and 10 Ride Pass riders that transfer between two BBB routes on a one-way journey. Low-income riders make up 89.4% of all Single Trip (Regular) and 100% of all Single Trip (S/D/M) riders, which is +2.9% higher and +10.6% higher, respectively, than the systemwide low-income percentage of 86.5%.
Of the 179 riders that answered the income question and selected the Single Trip fare, 89 indicated that they transfer from one BBB bus to another BBB bus “Sometimes”, “Usually”, or “Always”. Of these 89 riders, 82 are low-income riders or 92.1%, which is +5.6% higher than the systemwide low-income percentage. As such, the introduction of free BBB-to-BBB transfers will benefit low-income riders to a higher degree than non-low-income riders and will not result in a disproportionate burden on the lowincome population.
All other proposed changes are below the 15% threshold and will not result in a disproportionate burden.
Conclusion
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that receives Federal funds or other Federal financial assistance. In compliance with this law, Big Blue Bus has conducted a Title VI analysis on the proposed fare changes. This analysis has found that the proposed changes will not result in a disparate impact on the minority population or a disproportionate burden on the low-income population.
Appendix
1.1 Big Blue Bus – September 2021 Passenger Survey Results
1. Are you at least 14 years old?
a. Yes >> 592 of 592 (100%)
b. No >> 0 of 592
2. How many days a week do you ride on BBB buses?
a. Occasionally (less than 1 day per week) >> 50 of 592 (8.5%) b. 1 to 3 days >> 211 of 592 (35.6%)
c. 4 or 5 days >> 289 of 592 (48.8%)
d. 6 or more days >> 42 of 592 (7.1%)
3. BBB route you ride on a weekly basis
(Select all that apply)
a. 1 Santa Monica Blvd. >> 164 of 1,060 (15.5%)
b. 2 Wilshire Blvd. >> 70 of 1,060 (6.6%)
c. 3 Lincoln Blvd. >> 143 of 1,060 (13.5%)
d. Rapid 3 Lincoln Blvd. >> 47 of 1,060 (4.4%)
e. 5 Olympic Blvd. >> 9 of 1,060 (0.8%)
f. 7 Pico Blvd. >> 175 of 1,060 (16.5%)
g. Rapid 7 Pico Blvd. >> 76 of 1,060 (7.2%)
h. Express 7 Pico Blvd. >> 23 of 1,060 (2.2%)
i. 8 Ocean Park >> 24 of 1,060 (2.3%)
j. 9 Palisades >> 136 of 1,060 (12.8%)
k. Rapid 10 Downtown Express >> 5 of 1,060 (0.5%)
l. Rapid 12 Westwood Blvd. >> 37 of 1,060 (3.5%)
m. 14 Bundy Dr. – Centinela Ave. >> 32 of 1,060 (3.0%)
n. 15 Barrington Ave. >> 4 of 1,060 (0.4%)
o. 16 Marina del Rey >> 8 of 1,060 (0.8%)
p. 17 UCLA – VA >> 21 of 1,060 (2.0%)
q. 18 Abbott Kinney >> 59 of 1,060 (5.6%)
r. 41 17th St. >> 17 of 1,060 (1.6%)
s. 43 26th St. >> 10 of 1,060 (0.9%)
t. 44 SMC Bundy Campus >> 0 of 1,060
--FARE PURCHASE AND PAYMENT METHODS--
4. Before BBB stopped accepting cash and tokens (July 12th, 2021), how did you normally pay for your BBB fare?
(Rank top two)
a. Paid cash on the bus >> 178 of 670 (26.6%)
b. TAP card (Regular, Reduced Fare, ACCESS, UCLA or SMC TAP cards) >> 388 of 670 (57.9%)
c. TAP App on a mobile device (smartphone or Apple Watch) >> 62 of 670 (9.3%) d. Smartphone App (Transit app, Token Transit app) >> 31 of 670 (4.6%) e. Paper pass Bought on the bus >> 2 of 670 (0.3%)
f. Paper Pass Bought at the BBB Transit Store >> 9 of 670 (1.3%)
g. BBB employee/retiree/dependent pass >> 0 of 670
5. Now, how do you usually pay for your BBB fare?
a. TAP card (Regular, Reduced Fare, ACCESS, UCLA or SMC TAP cards) >> 432 of 592 (73.0%)
b. TAP app on a mobile device (smartphone or Apple Watch) >> 114 of 592 (19.3%) c. Smartphone app (Transit app, Token Transit app) >> 43 of 592 (7.3%) d. I usually don’t pay >> 3 of 592 (0.5%)
6. Why don’t you usually pay the fare on BBB?
(Select all that apply)
a. I don’t have a TAP card >> 1 of 3
b. I don’t have a smartphone >> 0 of 3
c. I don’t have a credit card >> 0 of 3
d. Because I can ride without paying >> 1 of 3
e. Other >> 1 of 3
7. Where do you typically obtain your BBB fare products? (Select all that apply)
a. TAP - Ticket Vending Machine >> 259 of 761 (34.0%)
b. TAP - Website or call center >> 48 of 761 (6.3%)
c. TAP - Retail location (Ralph’s, 7-11, CVS, Walgreens, Check Cashing, etc.) >> 100 of 761 (13.1%)
d. BBB Transit Store >> 81 of 761 (10.6%)
e. Smartphone app (Token Transit app, Transit app) >> 43 of 761 (5.7%) f. TAP app on a mobile device (smartphone or Apple Watch) >> 168 of 761 (22.1%) g. My pass is provided by my employer or school >> 34 of 761 (4.5%) h. My pass is provided by Access or another social service agency >> 28 of 761 (3.7%)
8. Which BBB fare(s) do you normally choose now?
(Select one or two)
a. TAP (stored value) single ride >> 264 of 606 (43.6%) b. TAP UCLA BruinGo! quarterly pass >> 4 of 606 (0.7%)
c. TAP UCLA Co-pay Pass >> 14 of 606 (2.3%)
d. TAP E-Pass >> 8 of 606 (1.3%)
e. TAP U-Pass >> 11 of 606 (1.8%)
f. TAP Interagency Transfer >> 3 of 606 (0.5%)
g. Access TAP Card >> 48 of 606 (7.9%)
h. Single ride on mobile phone >> 19 of 606 (3.1%)
i. 1 Day Pass >> 33 of 606 (5.4%)
j. 7-Day Pass >> 50 of 606 (8.3%)
k. 30-Day Pass >> 76 of 606 (12.5%)
l. 13 Rides Pass >> 15 of 606 (2.5%)
m. Youth 30-Day Pass >> 35 of 606 (5.8%)
n. BBB Annual Pass >> 0 of 606
o. EZ Pass >> 15 of 606 (2.5%)
p. Employer-provided pass >> 2 of 606 (0.3%)
q. Santa Monica College pass >> 9 of 606 (1.5%)
--TRANSFER TRIPS WITHIN BBB AND TO/FROM BBB—
9. Thinking about 1-way trips on the Big Blue Bus, how often do you transfer from Big Blue Bus to another Big Blue Bus (Blue to Blue)?
a. Never >> 223 of 592 (37.7%)
b. Rarely >> 92 of 592 (15.5%)
c. Sometimes >> 143 of 592 (24.2%)
d. Usually >> 86 of 592 (14.5%)
e. Always >> 48 of 592 (8.1%)
10. Thinking about 1-way trips on the Big Blue Bus, how often do you transfer to or from Big Blue Bus to another bus or rail systems (Blue to/from Orange LA Metro Bus, Green Culver CityBus, etc.)]
a. Never >> 201 of 592 (34.0%)
b. Rarely >> 98 of 592 (16.6%)
c. Sometimes >> 133 of 592 (22.5%)
d. Usually >> 104 of 592 (17.6%)
e. Always >> 56 of 592 (9.5%)
11. When you transfer to other transit providers (not BBB), do you use TAP Stored Value to purchase the discounted $0.50 Regular or $0.25 Senior/Disabled Interagency Transfer?
a. Yes >> 307 of 592 (51.9%)
b. No >> 84 of 592 (14.2%)
c. Don’t transfer >> 201 of 592 (34.0%)
12. What is the main reason you don’t use TAP Stored Value to pay for your transfer? a. Not aware of the transfer discount >> 29 of 84 (34.5%) b. I pay with a pass or passes on BBB and other transit agencies >> 44 of 84 (52.4%) c. Because Metro isn’t charging a fare currently >> 9 of 84 (10.7%) d. Because I don’t use TAP to pay my fare >> 2 of 84 (2.4%)
13. Are you aware that single rides cost less when using TAP or a mobile ticket than they did when using cash?
a. Yes >> 459 of 592 (77.5%)
b. No >> 133 of 592 (22.5%)
--CONTACTLESS FARE PERCEPTIONS--
14. How has the contactless fare program (no cash use on board) affected you? a. Negatively >> 28 of 592 (4.7%)
b. Somewhat negatively >> 54 of 592 (9.1%)
c. Neither negative nor Positive >> 468 of 592 (79.1%)
d. Somewhat positively >> 23 of 592 (3.9%)
e. Positively >> 19 of 592 (3.2%)
15. Please describe any positive or negative impacts you have experienced as a result of the contactless fare program?
16. The goal of contactless payments on buses is to move buses faster, make fare payment more sanitary, and reduce the fare price for each ride. Understanding these goals, should BBB return to accepting cash fare payments?
a. Yes >> 381 of 592 (64.4%)
b. No >> 142 of 592 (24.0%)
c. I don’t know >> 69 of 592 (11.6%)
17. If BBB goes back to accepting cash, will you start using cash again? a. Yes, for most trips >> 50 of 592 (8.4%)
b. Yes, for some trips >> 162 of 592 (27.4%)
c. No >> 380 of 592 (64.2%)
18. What can BBB do to improve the contactless fare program? --SMARTPHONE AND CREDIT ACCESS--
19. Do you have a smartphone?
a. Yes >> 512 of 592 (86.5%)
b. No >> 80 of 592 (13.5%)
20. Does your phone have a data plan?
a. Yes >> 498 of 592 (84.1%)
b. No >> 14 of 592 (2.4%)
c. No smartphone >> 80 of 592 (13.5%)
21. If your phone does not have a data plan, do you access the Internet on your phone using Wi-Fi? a. Yes >> 10 of 14 (71.4%)
b. No >> 4 of 14 (28.6%)
22. Do you have a credit, debit, or pre-paid card to make purchases? a. Yes >> 530 of 592 (89.5%)
b. No >> 62 of 592 (10.5%)
23. Would you be interested in using mobile ticketing (smartphone app) if you could load value to your phone at the BBB Transit Store using cash?
a. Yes >> 363 of 592 (61.3%)
b. No >> 135 of 592 (22.8%)
c. No answer >> 94 of 592 (15.9%)
--REDUCED FARE OPTIONS--
24. Are you aware that there are reduced fares available for seniors (62+), people with Disabilities, Medicare recipients, and/or youth?
a. Yes >> 519 of 592 (87.7%)
b. No >> 73 of 592 (12.3%)
25. Which of the reduced fares are you receiving, if any? (Select all that apply)
a. Senior (62+) >> 66 of 550 (12.0%)
b. Disabled/Medicare recipient >> 37 of 550 (6.7%)
c. Youth (5-18 years of age) >> 40 of 550 (7.3%)
d. Low-Income (LIFE) >> 8 of 550 (1.5%)
e. Not Receiving a discount >> 384 of 550 (69.8%)
f. I don’t know >> 15 of 550 (2.7%)
26. What reduced fares might you qualify for?
(Select all that apply)
a. Senior (62+) >> 6 of 457 (1.3%)
b. Disabled/Medicare recipient >> 2 of 457 (0.4%)
c. Youth (5-18 years of age) >> 4 of 457 (0.9%)
d. Low-Income (LIFE) >> 0 of 457
e. None of the above >> 423 of 457 (92.6%)
f. I don’t know >> 22 of 457 (4.8%)
27. Before BBB stopped accepting cash and tokens, did you receive the senior or disabled/Medicare reduced fare by paying $0.50 with cash? a. Yes >> 95 of 109 (87.2%)
b. No >> 14 of 109 (12.8%)
--LIFE PROGRAM--
28. Are you aware of the free or reduced fare available for low-income riders through the LIFE program?
a. Yes >> 110 of 592 (18.6%)
b. No >> 481 of 592 (81.3%)
c. No answer >> 1 of 592 (0.2%)
29. Are you currently receiving the LIFE program reduced fare? a. Yes >> 29 of 592 (4.9%)
b. No >> 77 of 592 (13.0%)
c. I don’t know >> 4 of 592 (0.7%)
d. No answer >> 482 of 592 (81.4%)
30. Are you eligible for reduced fares based on household income? a. Yes >> 121 of 592 (20.4%)
b. No >> 440 of 592 (74.3%)
c. I don’t know >> 30 of 592 (5.1%)
d. No answer >> 1 of 592 (0.2%)
--DEMOGRAPHICS--
31. What is your gender?
a. Male >> 230 of 592 (38.9%)
b. Female >> 360 of 592 (60.8%)
c. Non-binary >> 2 of 592 (0.3%)
32. In which age category do you belong?
a. 14-17 >> 44 of 592 (7.4%)
b. 18 to 24 >> 87 of 592 (14.7%)
c. 25-34 >> 106 of 592 (17.9%)
d. 35-44 >> 121 of 592 (20.4%)
e. 45-54 >> 117 of 592 (19.8%)
f. 55-61 >> 38 of 592 (6.4%)
g. 62 and Older >> 79 of 592 (13.3%)
33. Select the group(s) that best describe you
(Select all that apply)
a. Hispanic/Latino/Latinx >> 284 of 604 (47.0%)
b. White >> 148 of 604 (24.5%)
c. Black/African-American >> 103 of 604 (17.1%)
d. Asian/Pacific Islander >> 58 of 604 (9.6%)
e. Native American >> 0 of 604
f. Other >> 11 of 604 (1.8%)
34. How many people currently reside in your household?
35. What is your annual household income?
a. Less than $25,000 >> 98 of 592 (16.6%)
b. $25,000 – $34,999 >> 129 of 592 (21.8%)
c. $35,000 – $49,999 >> 112 of 592 (18.9%)
d. $50,000 – $74,999 >> 36 of 592 (6.1%)
e. $75,000 – $99,999 >> 8 of 592 (1.4%)
f. More than $100,000 >> 2 of 592 (0.3%)
g. Decline >> 207 of 592 (35.0%)
36. How proficient are you in English?
a. I speak little to no English >> 20 of 592 (3.4%)
b. I speak some English >> 153 of 592 (25.8%)
c. I speak English very well >> 419 of 592 (70.8%)
37. What is your home zip code?