Elimination of Paper Bus Tickets Obtains RTD’s Token of Approval

Southern California Rapid Transit District officials revived the bus token Thursday, a move they hope will save the RTD $250,000 a month in fare processing.

To try to realize those savings as soon as possible, the RTD Board of Directors also agreed to suspend normal procurement practices by letting staff solicit bids from a limited number of suppliers, then negotiate and sign a contract without further board approval.

The RTD board also left it up to staff to decide what the tokens will look like. The slugs will be 0.9 of an inch in diameter and made of two different-colored metals, but it is not clear if they will carry the RTD’s initials or logo.

The RTD wants the tokens in circulation as soon as possible this fall to replace the frequently counterfeited paper tickets used in its discounted-fare program.

But the slugs, which have a life of a decade or more, will outlast the RTD--which is scheduled to merge with the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission in February to create the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Final design of the tokens will be left to a committee that is guiding the merger of the two rival transit bodies.

RTD Controller-Treasurer Thomas A. Rubin said the token program will cost about $478,000 to start, including $300,000 to buy 5 million tokens. The rest of the money will pay to alter coin boxes on buses and buy machines to sort, count and package tokens.

Rubin said tokens will more than pay for themselves even if the new MTA decides to start using more modern electronic fare cards. Tokens should cover their cost in two months, he said, while electronic fare cards are unlikely to be introduced until 1995 at the earliest.

Expediting the procurement process would start those savings even sooner, he said.