How this calculator works
Each option is priced over the whole planning period. Single tickets cost the fare times the number of trips. A pass is bought as many times as needed to cover the period, rounding up when the period is not an exact multiple of the pass validity, and it carries no per-trip charge once bought. The comparison assumes unlimited travel within the pass validity and that every trip falls inside the period. It does not model a pass that becomes worthwhile only after a certain number of trips, but the table shows the cost per trip so you can compare directly.
Formula
Single cost = trips x single fare. Passes needed = ceil(days / pass validity). Pass cost = passes x pass price. Cost per trip = option cost / trips. Saving versus singles = single cost - option cost. The cheapest option is the smallest of the three total costs.
Worked example
For 60 trips in 30 days with a $3.25 fare, single tickets cost $195. A $21 pass valid for 7 days is bought five times, costing $105, and a $156 monthly pass is bought once. The short-term pass is cheapest, saving $90 and bringing the cost to $1.75 per trip.
Advertisement
Frequently asked questions
Does a pass cover unlimited trips?
This comparison assumes it does. Some passes limit the number of zones or peak-hour trips; if yours does, price the extra trips separately and add them to the pass cost.
What if the period is not a whole number of pass periods?
The calculator rounds up, because you must buy a full pass to cover the remaining days. A 10 day trip with a 7 day pass therefore needs two passes.
Should I include a senior or student discount?
Yes. Enter the discounted fare and discounted pass prices, because the comparison depends on the prices you actually pay.
Why does the long-term pass sometimes lose?
A long pass can be more expensive than several short passes when only a few days are needed, or when the short pass is generously priced. The table makes that visible instead of assuming the longest pass is always best.