Successful fare integration implemented in Seville
Greater Seville includes 22 municipalities for a total population of 1.2 million inhabitants.
Achieving greater fare integration between the 10 companies operating transport networks on its 1,300km2 territory has been a major objective of the Consorcio de Transportes del Area de Sevilla, the metropolitan transport authority since it was set up in March 2001.
On 1st October 2002, a first step was implemented with the integration of fares of all metropolitan bus operators with the introduction of a common validation system for magnetic tickets and the launch of 10-trips tickets valid in the whole metropolitan area.
After one and a half year of operation, the decrease in number of passengers witnessed previously has been halted (12.8 million travellers per year).
The new integrated fare system has been consolidated and the use of the new tickets is steadily growing. During this period, 35 new buses have been purchased by bus operators, 23 of which being accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.
Simultaneously, an ambitious programme of equipment and signposting of bus stops has been initiated, with the installation of 200 bus shelters and 650 bus stop posts.
Among the most noticeable projects in the short and medium term is the development of SIV, a real-time information system based on GPS technology and GPRS transmission of data.
www.consorciotransportes-sevilla.com