Talk:TransLink (San Francisco Bay Area)

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[edit] Technical problems?

What are these technical problems people speak of? I got a TL card with autoload (thus for free) through the translink website and used it for the first time on an ACT bus over a week ago with no problems. What's going on here? —lensovet–talk – 07:57, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

• AC Transit refused to mail out its pilot program cards for a couple of months. These were not obtained through the TransLink website, but were the result of signups on actransit.org, and were free regardless of whether autoload was included or not because the recipients agreed to fill out surveys to evaluate TransLink performance. I got my card through GGT so I had it earlier, but I had to pay cash a couple of times in December and January. It's only in the last two weeks that I've been able to consistently pay with my card; hence, the technical problems were resolved and AC Transit is mailing their cards accordingly. Bayberrylane 05:17, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Not always technical problems

I think that it's good to point out that some of the problems with Translink does not stem from MTC that operates the program or mechanical and technical glitches. In my experience as a pilot tester in 2002 for Muni metro, and sometimes on BART, GG Ferry, and VTA is that the train/bus operators, station agents, and fare inspectors have a lack of training.

I need to also note Translink card use may be less useful at terminal bus stops because I've noticed that the Translink equipment runs on the energy of the bus engine and not the vehicle's battery. Once the system is turned-on, it takes a few minutes for the program to warm-up before it is able to accept the fares. Also, since transit agencies turn-on their buses and immediately take-on passengers to save fuel and not to make a large disruption to the residential neighbors with idling engines; trying to collect and enforce electronic fares may not be the most convenient thing for everyone. Akit 07:35, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

I've never had a problem taking the 7 at del norte BART right after it powers up after its break. I have had trouble getting drivers to select the local fare for me on Transbay routes which i am not taking all the way to San Francisco. They insist its okay and then it charges me the transbay and not local fare and then they don't seem to care. Also if it doesnt work once or twice theyll start demanding money instead of putting in a decent effort at making it work. But its just lack of practice, the card should be mandator, no cash fares at all, thats what many places do. Transantiago is one.Cholga^talK! 23:20, 13 August 2007

>>>>Mandatory, eh, to make life difficult for Tourists and occasional riders. I'm not sure that's the solution but would love to see external links to anyone's argument for that. If you mean a mandatory replacement for other types passes, that's another question.Critical Chris (talk) 23:35, 5 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Labor issues

I don't work for BART or AC Transit, but I can't imagine there's not labor issues at play in terms of BART not rolling out TransLink acceptance in the BART system. After all, BART's own EZ RIDER card has it's own associated staff to administer that program and there may be duplicate jobs at multiple agencies on the chopping block. An exploration of this angle would be an interesting read. Critical Chris (talk) 23:34, 5 February 2008 (UTC)