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I like the multiple smart trip target idea more than an ez-pass system. I was recently in Santiago, Chile, and all the buses in the TranSantiago system have two readers, one to the left and one to the right. It definitely speeds things along, provided you have space for multiple people to enter.

Another good idea is pre-paying. They had a few of these at busy stops, where a section of the sidewalk was cordoned off by railings, and you could swipe your card to get into that section and then board the bus without swiping. The few I saw had TranSantiago employees standing there to prevent abuse, so it might be quite expensive here, but it might be worth investigating at the stops with the highest traffic that potentially cause the most delays (I'm thinking of the X2 stop next to Verizon Center for example, although there are others).

To complete my Santiago after action report, they also allowed musicians to perform on buses, even with sound systems, and collect donations/sell CD's right there on the bus. Perhaps this guy has a future on the 42 bus? http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/dc-songwriter-longs-for-metros-42-bus/2012/02/27/gIQAiDrdeR_story.html

by david on May 10, 2012 2:32 pm • link • report