Summary: It appears that urban bus systems have abandoned the dual-phase fare method, opting instead for a flat fare. Verified in cities like Kyoto and Tokyo, this change aims to simplify boarding procedures.
I’ve been noticing similar changes in my city and it’s got me really wondering about the full impact on everyday commuting. It seems like making the fare a flat fee could streamline things a lot, almost like reducing the little friction points at boarding. But I can’t help but think – does removing the two-step system really improve efficiency overall, or might it lead to unintended issues, especially on routes with mixed usage patterns? I’m interested in whether others have observed smoother boarding, or perhaps some challenges remaining that we haven’t talked about yet. How do you all feel the change influences the overall travel experience, and do you think it might be just the tip of the iceberg in rethinking public transport pricing? Would love to hear more insights or any personal experiences with this shift.