The act of a passenger leaving one transit vehicle and boarding another to complete their trip. Transit agencies design fare structures and route networks around transfers, often issuing a time-limited ticket or digital token that allows riders to switch between modes without paying a second base fare.
Heard on the job
The new smart card system gives riders a free two-hour transfer window across all buses and light rail.
Related terms
Connection
A scheduled transfer of a passenger or cargo from one vehicle to another to complete a journey.
Hub-and-spoke
A distribution network where all freight moves through a central facility before reaching its final destination.
Passenger kilometer
A metric representing one passenger traveling a distance of one kilometer.