Comments on: the ballad of might-be-EZ Rider

By: Clarence R. Fischer

Clarence R. Fischer — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:27:08 +0000

Just saw the valuable comments (on 1/23/2007) … let me put in my 2-cents worth.

Be it whatever program (i.e. – Translink / E-Z-Rider) … it seems that everything is still tied into an account at a financial institution where funds can be withdrawn (as well as by “white-collar criminals”). I want a system where not only can I “add fare” with government issued money and/or credit cards (which it seems BART has), but I also want a method, where I can combine the value of multiple low-value tickets automatically (i.e. – not having to “exchange” multiple tickets with a BART associate) onto additional value of a “smart-chip card”, so I only have to add in a hunderd or two a month up front, and be done with it. It seems that BART wants your financial account institution information … and who knows … perhaps with all of the hackers out their, the hackers would break into BART’s database, and another set of people would have to waste their time cancelling their accounts. Not only does BART not seek input from patrons as to what the patrons wish to see done to allow for how the patrons want to have such a system operate, but once again, it just makes me believe more an more, that BART has changed their slogan from “Pamper The Passenger” (that was their slogan in the early 1970′s when they first opened the system) to “Piss On The Patron”.

In closing, I have offered various associates at BART to allow me to be “a test patron” where I could give them valuable feedback, but since I have had no takers, I guess that I will just continue to use BART as I always have, and the heck with their proposed new fare systems that will not work correctly (hello … now will BART offer me to be “a test patron”??).

I’m a disabled rider. I cause BART to waste time (and others do as well), because we have to convert “Tiny Tickets” into larger value tickets, by dealing with BART associates to obtain higher value tickets.

By: Jennifer Kruidenier

Jennifer Kruidenier — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 23:13:11 +0000

I just received my card. It was activated today and I look forward to using it on Friday. For those who haven’t noticed, BART is enrolling another 1,000 users (as of 12/18/06).

By: TransLinkInsider

TransLinkInsider — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:06:04 +0000

Bob: There is no such “squabble” about the split of fees affecting the rollout of TransLink to BART customers. MTC and the transit agencies agreed on a split of fees several years ago. In general, the rollout of TransLink has been slower than expected, and this includes BART. As you may know, the TransLink deployment on AC Transit and Golden Gate Transit was completed recently. The technical work to integrate BART into the TransLink system is ongoing, and the forecasted completion date is now mid-2007. The integration will include acceptance of TransLink cards at BART faregates and add value capability at BART ticket vending machines.

Please be patient, TransLink will once again be accepted in the BART system in the next year.

By: Michael Krueger

Michael Krueger — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 19:31:43 +0000

I agree with Bob: The astounding delays and cost overruns in the TransLink program are downright shameful. I was flabbergasted when I learned that BART was proceeding with its own incompatible program instead of cutting the nickel-and-dime bickering and getting onto the TransLink bandwagon. The fact that the EZ Rider and TransLink cards interfere with each other is the final indignity. TransLink gives me the ability to pay without taking the card out of my wallet, and EZ Rider takes it away! Brilliant! Would the citizens of London, with its Oyster Card, or Hong Kong, with its Octopus Card, put up with this kind of nonsense? Only in the Bay Area . . . sigh.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:56:54 +0000

I talked to a BART official who said that the delay of Translink on Bart was not technical, but about the spilt of fees going to Translink. I think it is disgraceful that riders have been denied this convenience while they squabble about money.Where is the MTC in all this? Where are the politicians?

I have a Translink card, and used it regularly to take an AC Transit bus to BART, then transfer to Muni in the city. Always worked flawlessly. Lost a card once, and they froze my account and sent me a new card promptly, with the balance transferred.

I also have an EZ Rider card, and it has also worked very well for me. It seems faster to me than the BART tickets. I’ll be so glad when the systems are integrated!

By: Capricious Commuter

Capricious Commuter — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:17:47 +0000

Janmarie, you make a good point, but one that doesn’t get much traction in Oakland. As it’s been explained to me by some of the best minds in transit, it doesn’t pay to reward “true” commuters. That’s why I stopped taking BART, even though BART gets me right to the doorstep of the Tribune Tower. The bottom line is, BART will get people like you whether they give you a discount or not. Plus, discounts for regular riders, which in some cities come in the form of unlimited monthly passes, put more bodies onto the trains (you don’t pay any extra, so you ride more on weekends, etc.) but no more money into the farebox. In some other cities, voters wouldn’t stand for this. The thing you have to remember is that while BART directors are elected, they aren’t elected by Central Valley residents. One director who represents easternmost Contra Costa County has proposed a flat fare, which would benefit people who commute in from way out where you live. That probably won’t fly because it would mean a fare increse for short-distance riders, who have a constituency represented by a larger number of BART directors. Before I go on and on about this, I think I’m just going to do another post on this topic. One more thing, Janmarie: Can you take a commter train, like the Capitol Corridor or ACE? You might save a bunch of money doing that.

By: Janmarie

Janmarie — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 02:16:19 +0000

It is a shame, that BART plays those kind of games. People have to work, and most of us, myself for instance drive all the way from the Central Valley, a two and a half hour drive. Pay $6.00 day to park, pay $5.00 round trip to ride BART to SF. I feel BART should give “true” commuters a BREAK. You can’t afford to live in the BAY AREA, as homes cost too much, not to mention the “CRIME” that is out of control in Oakland. So what are people supposed to do? BART has all these parking lots and there are never any spaces to park. Your car gets broken into (yet there are supposed to be BART POLICE). What do they do? Why would BART advertise a “trial” program and then make it a “tease” with a “waiting list”? BART OUGHT TO BE ASHAME OF THEMSELVES…..

By: Phillip

Phillip — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 04:18:20 +0000

i found the ny subway to be quite filthy. as well as the el.

on another note, i read that translink will later be incorporated into the system. from what i can tell it seems that bart is sick of waiting for translink to pick up its feet, so it started a pilot program that can be later transfered to the translink service. yay bart.

http://bart.gov/tickets/types/ezfaq.asp
“When Translink is made available on BART, we will transfer EZ Rider smartcard users to Translink. Translink will work on transit systems throughout the Bay”

i assume this means future compliance

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 21:45:06 +0000

I have ridden on Chi-town’s (my hometown) El and the NY subways. Most of their cars were cleaner then BARTs, on the trains I rode on.

By: Capricious Commuter

Capricious Commuter — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:47:17 +0000

Liz, when you say BART trains are the nastiest you’ve ever been on, I’m curious to know what other systems you’ve been on. I assume you mean the condition of the trains, and I can certainly recount how I’ve avoided some foul-smelling carpet stains, etc., but on the other hand, this is not a unique trait of inner-city transit. The only transit systems I’ve found to be much cleaner were in places where transit doesn’t get used very much. In Germany, I did see some well-used and spotless trains, but then, I also encountered panhandlers there wearing laminated state beggars’ licenses.