CAM CORTIGIANO: Centro buses recently announced something that customers will be very happy to hear. Starting March 7th, all rides on Centro buses will cost riders just one dollar. Vice President of Communications and Business Planning at Centro, Steven Koegel, said that this change will create a consistent fare across all Centro properties.
STEVEN KOEGEL: So, what we’ve done is we’ve created one fare structure for all of the services that we provide, the city services, so there’s uniformity.
CORTIGIANO: Even though free transfers are no longer an option as part of the change, Koegel said those customers will not see an increase in cost.
KOEGEL: But if they do buy an unlimited ride pass, and they ride everyday, that pass had been 20 dollars, it’s now 12. So, those really consistent users, even if they’re transferring, they’re going to save money in the long run by using our pass system.
CORTIGIANO: Koegel said that fare reductions are not the only new thing coming to Centro. Mobile ticketing is in the works, which would allow users to scan a barcode from their phone to pay their fare. This change is expected to be in place by Spring.
KOEGEL: So, in the not-too-distant future, after we’ve finished testing, we get everything up and running, people will be able to: take their mobile phone, go to our mobile app, buy a pass, get an account, load your bus pass right onto your mobile phone, walk on the bus, put your mobile phone next to the reader, it’ll read it, it’ll beep, you’ll have paid your fare, and you’ll just go have a seat.
CORTIGIANO: Even if the change causes an initial decrease in Centro’s revenue, Koegel is optimistic that it will lead to long term growth, and he is certain that it will not impact the amount of bus drivers and routes Centro will have.
KOEGEL: We’re really hoping that what it’ll do is it will inspire more rides, more people to use the service. So, if we continue to grow our ridership, then the more people who ride, it really offsets the potential financial impact of reducing the fares.
CORTIGIANO: All of these changes are meant to streamline Centro’s process, and Koegel is a strong believer that they will. For N-C-C News, I’m Cam Cortigiano.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)- Centro buses have announced that it will be lowering its fare rates across all of its properties. These changes, which go into effect on Mar. 7, will lower the rate to just one dollar per ride.
Vice President of Communications and Business Planning at Centro, Steven Koegel, said that the plan was put in place in order to create consistency amongst its fares, something that Centro does not have now. Fares can vary from two dollars and up based on where you are.
“So, what we’ve done is we’ve created one fare structure for all the services we provide, the city services, so there’s uniformity,” said Koegel.
Another major change as part of Centro’s plan is eliminating free transfers, which were used by 20.4 percent of riders last year. This will have a minimal impact on customers who use Centro everyday, as the cost of unlimited ride passes will be lowered.
“But if they do buy an unlimited ride pass, and they ride everyday, that pass had been 20 dollars, it’s now 12,” Koegel said. “So, those really consistent users, even if they’re transferring, they’re going to save money in the long run by using our pass system.”
Centro is also developing mobile ticketing, which it hopes will be installed on all buses by Spring. This new feature will be an addition to the GoCentro app, which currently allows users to view next bus arrival times.
In a press release, Centro Chief Executive Brian Schultz said that all of these changes are geared toward increasing ridership on all buses.
“We believe by reducing and simplifying our fares and making it more convenient to purchase our bus passes, we can make Centro more attractive to current and prospective customers,” said Schultz.
Centro is prepared for any initial revenue loss that could come from reducing its fares. If that does happen, it will not impact that number of bus drivers and routes Centro will have.
The fare reduction, along with phasing out free transfers and introducing mobile ticketing, will help to streamline Centro’s process and help buses stay on time and on schedule.
