ticket info

[tamarakay]

http://tickets.burningman.org/

Important dates

[Token]

4th of July looks better and better every year.

Hot spring, guns, grilled cheese rocket cars ...

Oh my.

[trilobyte]

Key points and my own personal reflections after seeing the announcement...

Pricing:

• Presale prices go from $650 to $800 each.
• Regular ticket prices go from $380 to $390 each. It's worth pointing out that in 2012 (the last year with tiered pricing) the top tier price was $390, so people can quibble over whether it's an increase (it is to me).
• Vehicle Passes go from $40 to $50 apiece

Limits:

• Vehicle pass limits are now half of what the ticket limit is for any given sale (last year the vehicle pass limit was the same as the ticket limit)
• Vehicle passes are capped at a total of 27K. That's down considerably from last year's 35K, but based on the actual number of vehicle passes used in 2014.
• Presale will have 4K tickets (up from 3K last year).
• Presale ticket limits are 6 (was 4 last year).
• Directed Group Sale will have 20K tickets (up from 15K last year)
• Individual Sale will have 40K tickets (up from 38K last year)

The main thing the presale tickets do is to cover the cost of the low income program and that's still true. With increased costs on running the event (inflation affects everyone), the increased presale price also helps shoulder some of the burden of increased costs. Having worked out the math, if they just took the full cost increases and low income costs and did a single flat price with no presale, tickets would have jumped to just shy of $440. In that light, I don't have a problem with a spendy presale ticket for those with means - in my opinion it has a direct benefit to everyone else in the community. I personally do not feel good about the idea of increasing the presale ticket limits. I feel like the ticket limit of 4 was plenty, and feel like larger groups with means can jump through the same hoops that families and groups with less means have to do in the other sales (whose limits are still 2 per person).

I think a $10 increase on the regular ticket price and a $10 increase on the vehicle pass is reasonable, and in line with increases I've seen with other festivals and events. And most of those are only weekend events.

I think that capping vehicle passes at 27K this year is a mistake. Sure, we didn't run out or even use all the passes that were purchased last year, but reducing the cap to last year's actuals (especially when 8K more tickets are being offered in the presale, directed, and individual sales) will make for additional stress and anxiety for a lot of people. Sure, we'll all do what we can to reduce the number of vehicles we bring and we'll probably be fine... but such a tight cap only seems like it would encourage hoarding and other bad behavior. Personally, I would have preferred a reduction of the cap to 30K. I do like that vehicle passes are now limited to half of what a particular sale's limit is, hopefully that will keep hoarding at bay. Like last year, if the majority of the people do the right thing, I think it will still be okay.

Those are my own first impressions..I'm still very excited for 2015.

[tamarakay]

I am in full agreement with everything Trilo said. Excellent synopsis.

[Simon of the Playa]

burning man should be free.

like the air, and the water and the drugs and the sex.

the man has totally become the man, man...

[some seeing eye]

I believe the permit limits exodus to 1000 vehicles per hour, someone can look it up. So each extra 1000 vehicle permits increases the exodus wait. If the event wants to go to 90-100K that would be 35-38K permits at the current ratio which is better than 45-50K offered vehicle permits under the 2014 ratio. Exodus is time varying, but can you imagine a 50K exodus? That is also why the emphasis on the airport, the Burner Express, Bruno's containers, bike delivery, well organized EA and a better art car taxi system in the camping area. That is my guess.

Of course in ePlaya tradition we could propose the tickets could be say $200 and the car permits $650.

[Captain Goddammit]

The tickets WERE $200... and you could buy them right at the gate...

It seems the problem is a vicious cycle between reducing the number of vehicles, and plug-&-play camps. It's an empty desert; you need to bring everything. So, you need a vehicle. Preferably a BIG vehicle.
The more people ride the bus, fly in, carpool, etc, the more they have to depend on obtaining what they need on-site. Enter the plug-&-play camp.

Well, they're limiting vehicles, so guess what?!

[Token]

Summary:

27k vehicles.
64K tickets for sale.

So, 6K tickets for the Glitterati??

[digital]

So, 6K tickets for the Glitterati??

Staff. DPW. GP&E. Builders. Etc.

Not everything is a conspiracy.

[danibel]

I think that capping vehicle passes at 27K this year is a mistake. Sure, we didn't run out or even use all the passes that were purchased last year, but reducing the cap to last year's actuals (especially when 8K more tickets are being offered in the presale, directed, and individual sales) will make for additional stress and anxiety for a lot of people. Sure, we'll all do what we can to reduce the number of vehicles we bring and we'll probably be fine... but such a tight cap only seems like it would encourage hoarding and other bad behavior. Personally, I would have preferred a reduction of the cap to 30K. I do like that vehicle passes are now limited to half of what a particular sale's limit is, hopefully that will keep hoarding at bay.

Perhaps the org will change the vehicle sticker cap to something more reasonable. Something along the lines that Trilo outlined above would make the most sense.

I am just happy that the increase this year is not HUGE. I did have thoughts of buying a pre-sale, until I saw that it will be $800. No thanks. I will take my chances with the open sale.

[DrYes]

I think that capping vehicle passes at 27K this year is a mistake. Sure, we didn't run out or even use all the passes that were purchased last year, but reducing the cap to last year's actuals (especially when 8K more tickets are being offered in the presale, directed, and individual sales) will make for additional stress and anxiety for a lot of people. Sure, we'll all do what we can to reduce the number of vehicles we bring and we'll probably be fine... but such a tight cap only seems like it would encourage hoarding and other bad behavior. Personally, I would have preferred a reduction of the cap to 30K. I do like that vehicle passes are now limited to half of what a particular sale's limit is, hopefully that will keep hoarding at bay.

Perhaps the org will change the vehicle sticker cap to something more reasonable. Something along the lines that Trilo outlined above would make the most sense.

I am just happy that the increase this year is not HUGE. I did have thoughts of buying a pre-sale, until I saw that it will be $800. No thanks. I will take my chances with the open sale.

I've decided I'm going to buy a couple in the pre-sale and then try to score some lower-priced ones in the individual sale. If I do, then I'll just re-sell the presale tix for what I paid for them. If not, well, at least I get to go to Burning Man!

[tatonka]

Been tough here lately but I will think of ways to earn the cash ")

[dragonpilot]

More people in fewer vehicles = bigger vehicles = greater carbon footprint...if anyone really cares about that. Those frickin' Burner Express buses burn more fuel and expel more exhaust in a single round trip than my car does in a whole year, give or take. OK...I haven't actually run the numbers, but I'll bet I'm not too far off.

I guess I've lost sight of the intent of the passes. We're they to reduce the environmental impact or just reduce the number of vehicles clogging the roads and entering the event? Or a mix of both? I may be wrong, but I just sense that this is gonna turn into a typical BORG-imposed unintended cluster-fuck...not that that has ever happened before. Oh, and keep in mind that those imposing these restrictions aren't impacted. Because Staff.

[trilobyte]

It's not so much that you've lost sight so much as you're not grasping the issue at hand. The powers that be (the ones that Burning Man answers to) use the metric of number of vehicles and not the number of axles, or the weight, or the amount of carbon produced.... so the vehicle pass system is designed to help regulate that number. If the powers that be were measuring based on number of axles or some other metric, I imagine the vehicle pass system would be designed differently.

[Roundabout]

With increased costs on running the event (inflation affects everyone), the increased presale price also helps shoulder some of the burden of increased costs.

Actually, inflation has been zill. The last several years, the bigger economic battle has been against deflation.

[Sic Pup]

[*]Presale will have 4K tickets (up from 3K last year).
[*]Presale ticket limits are 6 (was 4 last year).
[*]Directed Group Sale will have 20K tickets (up from 15K last year)
[*]Individual Sale will have 40K tickets (up from 38K last year)

Presale tickets up 33%.
Presale limits up 50%
Directed Group Sale up 33%
Sucker limit up 5%...... priceless

So preferred access goes from under the table to behind closed doors (theme camp selection "committee") and ability to pay up.

The more things change......

Whatever, it's their party but somehow it always turns into ours.

I'll keep going until the population breakdown changes that.
,

[DrYes]

[*]Presale will have 4K tickets (up from 3K last year).
[*]Presale ticket limits are 6 (was 4 last year).
[*]Directed Group Sale will have 20K tickets (up from 15K last year)
[*]Individual Sale will have 40K tickets (up from 38K last year)

Presale tickets up 33%.
Presale limits up 50%
Directed Group Sale up 33%
Sucker limit up 5%...... priceless

So preferred access goes from under the table to behind closed doors (theme camp selection "committee") and ability to pay up.

The more things change......

Whatever, it's their party but somehow it always turns into ours.

I'll keep going until the population breakdown changes that.
,

I applaud the increase in DSG tickets, even though I'm not eligible this year. There's pretty much no question that a higher % of those tickets go to the people who make a big impact vs the people who get the tix in the individual sale.

[Captain Goddammit]

More people in fewer vehicles = bigger vehicles = greater carbon footprint...if anyone really cares about that. Those frickin' Burner Express buses burn more fuel and expel more exhaust in a single round trip than my car does in a whole year, give or take. OK...I haven't actually run the numbers, but I'll bet I'm not too far off.

It's about traffic, but technically, if you do the maths, that big Burner Express bus is a lot more efficient than your car. Let's say there's 20 people on it - and that's a damn light estimate.
Let's say it gets 5MPG, a low estimate.
If those same 20 people were two-to-a-car, requiring 10 cars, those cars would have to get 50 MPG. If they cram 30 or 40 aboard, it's a LOT more efficient.

A loaded bus is very, very efficient!

My own truck & trailer usually carries two, me and the First Mate. It gets about 7 MPG...

[GreyCoyote]

More people in fewer vehicles = bigger vehicles = greater carbon footprint...if anyone really cares about that. Those frickin' Burner Express buses burn more fuel and expel more exhaust in a single round trip than my car does in a whole year, give or take. OK...I haven't actually run the numbers, but I'll bet I'm not too far off.

It's about traffic, but technically, if you do the maths, that big Burner Express bus is a lot more efficient than your car. Let's say there's 20 people on it - and that's a damn light estimate.
Let's say it gets 5MPG, a low estimate.
If those same 20 people were two-to-a-car, requiring 10 cars, those cars would have to get 50 MPG. If they cram 30 or 40 aboard, it's a LOT more efficient.

A loaded bus is very, very efficient!

Missing the point as always.

You can start the party earlier riding the bus! Duh.

Unjohn was right about you...

[Good News Bear]

Might as well wade into controversy with my first post.

The story is that 34,000 vehicle passes were sold in 2014, yet only 27,000 vehicles showed up. Or in other words, 7,000 vehicle passes went unused. (21%)

Consequently only 27,000 vehicle passes will be sold this year.

The problem is, nothing has been said or done to address the 21% of people buying vehicle passes that don't get used. If the ratio remains the same then 5,500 unused vehicle passes will get sold this year, meaning only 21,500 vehicles are getting in for 2015 - not 27,000.

From what I've read this is likely intentional, not faulty logic.

What others have said re needing larger vehicles and pre-delivered goods would be spot on if BM really wants to nearly double attendance, while reducing vehicle count.

This year will be my first burn (*), what is appealing to me is the principals, notably radical self reliance. Showing up with what ya need. Having to rely on shuttles, delivery services or being a member of an organized camp just to survive really defeats that prinicpal, IMO.

(*) If I can get a ticket, and a vehicle pass.

[Lonesomebri]

[*]Presale will have 4K tickets (up from 3K last year).
[*]Presale ticket limits are 6 (was 4 last year).
[*]Directed Group Sale will have 20K tickets (up from 15K last year)
[*]Individual Sale will have 40K tickets (up from 38K last year)

Presale tickets up 33%.
Presale limits up 50%
Directed Group Sale up 33%
Sucker limit up 5%...... priceless
So preferred access goes from under the table to behind closed doors (theme camp selection "committee") and ability to pay up.
The more things change......
Whatever, it's their party but somehow it always turns into ours.
I'll keep going until the population breakdown changes that. ,

$800 VIP entrance.
Yeah, I see it as a way to legitimatize the commercial camps getting tickets. See, no preferential treatment here, as long as you got $800 a hit. It makes it easier for the wealthy to get a ticket, even simply comparing with years past, with the radical inclusion that anyone can buy 6 $800 tickets if they want to, so what is the complaint about a camp or a dozen set up for people buying their way in?

So the camps catering to people to who money is no object can snatch up the Presale no problem, while the riff-raff fight for the scraps as the event sells out again. Is the limit on buying Individual sale tickets going up to 6 also? The necessity of a pre-sale ticket goes up if you want to attend, I'm planning that, the pre-sale price is raised out of many people's means, the direct sale metric, is it as transparent and fair as the rest of this distribution? It seems like this is the very best way to guarantee tickets for a large number of wealthy client attending the Burn, while minimizing the rising anger over special treatment.

I'll try and get my hands on a few in the pre-sale, donate one to the biggest turd in the punch-bowl I can find, cover myself. This cute girl has asked me about the burn....

Well played Bmorg, well played.

[GreyCoyote]

Its a predictable response. But it is also a transparent response. No sneaky back-room deals or special memos that say "dont tell the plebes about this". Thats a step in the right direction.

I really dont care if Larry gets rich selling VIP tickets as long as it is done in plain view.

Personally I think the pre-sale should be $10 grand a pop and they should issue a special limited-edition golden wristband too. If your going to make it a class system that caters to the wealthy, do it big and fund some more big art with a bit of the windfall.

Besides, it would be fun to heckle the Golden Band folks when they show up at your camp. Think "Soup Nazi"...

[Simon of the Playa]

I'm Riding my Motorcycle.

i don't need no steenkin' vehicle pass.






or DO i?

[Elderberry]

Good question. From the ticket page: "Motorcycles and towed vehicles are exempt from the vehicle pass requirement."

[Lonesomebri]

onmyway.jpg

[trilobyte]

Presale tickets are not and never have been VIP ticket, or VIP entry. All tickets, regardless of purchase price or the sale it was purchased in, is good for one human. If someone's got the means and is down with forking out more per ticket to help out with the low income tickets and to help keep all the tickets from being in the $450 range... I say let them.

If a participant wants to drop $10K on the experience, that's easy. Either buy whatever ticket and then throw money at various fundraisers, or get off their asses and build some art.

[mdmf007]

So, 6K tickets for the Glitterati??

Staff. DPW. GP&E. Builders. Etc.

Not everything is a conspiracy.

ESD as well as contractors in that mix too. Yeah, no system is going to make everyone happy. My first year at BM I was comped tickets at Brunos gas station on Friday since they had so many available. Gone every year since and always got them at the gate - was always a last minute spontaneous decision until 2008ish when I made it my official yearly thing. Times are a changin....

[Lonesomebri]

Its a predictable response. But it is also a transparent response. No sneaky back-room deals or special memos that say "dont tell the plebes about this". Thats a step in the right direction....

[media]

The price increases make sense to me, but it's a trend that I don't like, have no solution for, but feel compelled to comment on.

Yeah, no VIP tickets, my hyperbole, just a massive increase in how easy it is to get a ticket (so, ya get in) if money is not a hindrance, while the competition for regular people tickets goes thru the roof (so it is more difficult for ya to get in). Yes, there has never been VIP treatment, we are all equal on the farm, unless you include early entry for those who don't build or placement for non-theme camps. But other than that... nothing... nothing that no one caught on to yet......

Like I said, I'm buying the pre-sale tickets, I'm playing along, this move was genius. See, they are making regular tickets cheaper, percentage wise, but harder to get by increasing the percentage amount of high-end tickets! Complain all you want now plebes, but see, they paid their fair share....for the community! I would recommend everyone who can to buy a pre-sale ticket if they want to attend. Yes, this will help drive up the demand and future cost, but at this point radical inclusion means every man for himself.
Thank you Bmorg!!!

[Elliot]

Like DrYes, I applaud the increase in Directed Group Sales. Hopefully this will be increased further in the next couple years, assuming there are enough camps and artists with good records of contributing to the Event.

While the current brouhaha is a necessary discussion of principles, I figure it pertains to relatively few people. It is the several tens of thousands of serious contributors who make the Event worthwhile, and we must make sure they are not squeezed out.

[Captain Goddammit]

Well first step to improve things, simply eliminate anyone over 60 years old from southern Oregon.