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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Jun 5, 2012 15:47:54 GMT -8
Read the document the board passed last week, there's many interesting nuggets of information in it on how locked gates will impose new fare media and behaviors. Of interest primarily:
#1 EZ Pass will be a special zone sticker attached to a TAP card.
#2 MetroLink passes will be on a new RFID media that is compatible with TAP.
#3 everyone will have to pay for TAP cards while discounted people (students, disabled, elderly) will receive them for free. (new price: $1 I think)
#4 Disabled persons should use the handicapped turnstiles with the wedges or call for help on the call box when a person monitoring the CCTVs will dispatch for assistance.
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Post by James Fujita on Jun 10, 2012 11:59:03 GMT -8
#2 on the list is interesting because it implies that at least on some level, Metrolink will be compatible with TAP. Maybe they can't afford to install TAP readers at all the stations — or, alternatively near the entrances on all of the trains, which would be better because people could TAP even at temporary stations.
But it does suggest that Metrolink is at least dipping one foot into the TAP pool, or the camel has its nose in Metrolink's tent. Slowly but surely, one can only hope....
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Post by Elson on Jun 10, 2012 22:40:23 GMT -8
I bought my first TAP card in 2008 and registered an account at taptogo.net...
I don't remember if I put my card in but when I logged in recently (the first time in several years...) it doesn't show any cards, nor can I add any cards to it.
I last refilled it on Saturday (Put $5 value into it).
I know my TAP will expire sometime this week or next week...
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Post by joshuanickel on Jun 12, 2012 5:32:50 GMT -8
The city of Santa Monica (operators of Big Blue Bus) plans to approve a new fare collection system tonight at their council meeting for the big blue bus that would include the systems necessary to implement the TAP program. It would also add six ticket vending machines to add to the most popular bus stops: www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2012/20120612/2012%200612%203N.pdf
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Post by James Fujita on Jun 13, 2012 14:33:40 GMT -8
I'm hoping that Santa Monica is taking the first step toward TAP.
I don't get why either of the cards have to expire. I own a TransLink, which is the old version of the (Bay Area) Clipper Card, and I can still autoload it. I have a Suica card as well, and that should still be good.
Elson, I think registering an account may be different from registering a card with balance protection and you may be missing a step.
I currently have two TAP cards, one that expires during Anime Expo and the other is good through 2015. Both show up at TAPtoGo, and it looks like I can even add cash value to the cards online, which is more than I was able to do when this started. "A journey of a thousand miles" and all that...
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Post by Elson on Jun 14, 2012 22:59:50 GMT -8
I'm hoping that Santa Monica is taking the first step toward TAP. I don't get why either of the cards have to expire. I own a TransLink, which is the old version of the (Bay Area) Clipper Card, and I can still autoload it. I have a Suica card as well, and that should still be good. Elson, I think registering an account may be different from registering a card with balance protection and you may be missing a step. I currently have two TAP cards, one that expires during Anime Expo and the other is good through 2015. Both show up at TAPtoGo, and it looks like I can even add cash value to the cards online, which is more than I was able to do when this started. "A journey of a thousand miles" and all that... Contactless Transit Smart Cards have an expiration date so that older RFID chips can be phased out and more current ones can be phased in, so that future codes and features can be implemented and software updates can be compatible. If you bought your TAP in 2008 and an updated chip was developed in 2011 then the outdated chips need to be flushed out of the system every few years. I have a TAP account registered, I don't see any mention of balance protection anywhere.
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Post by James Fujita on Jun 15, 2012 11:49:50 GMT -8
the TAPtoGo.com website has Balance Protection as one of the options on the left hand side. taptogo.com/balanceprotection.phpThat seems to be the way to add cards to the account. Or you can try logging on to secure.taptogo.net/ and the option is available there as well. You just need your login and password.
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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Jun 15, 2012 14:23:28 GMT -8
Two of my friends just got hired as "Brand Ambassadors" for Metro, what they will be doing is facilitating the rollout of locked turnstiles and the concept of TAP passes. Metro is hiring an army to get LA County and its visitors through this. This time they are for real.
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Post by Elson on Jun 16, 2012 11:34:04 GMT -8
the TAPtoGo.com website has Balance Protection as one of the options on the left hand side. taptogo.com/balanceprotection.phpThat seems to be the way to add cards to the account. Or you can try logging on to secure.taptogo.net/ and the option is available there as well. You just need your login and password. Thanks James, was able to get the card in. Funny thing... I bought my TAP in June 2008...The expiration was I think June 6 2012. I can still use my card today. I last checked the status earlier this week and it gave me an expiration date of "June 30, 2012." Now after I registered my card on the TAP website, it gave me a "9/8/2012" expiration date. Weird.
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Post by hooligan on Jun 21, 2012 8:15:29 GMT -8
ok so can someone explain how the zone charge i bought a tap card and loaded 20 dollars on the site
had to go downtown on the silver line and had no problem
in the afternoon when i tried going home i tapped and then the bus driver said there was a zone charge in downtown.
i was going to tap my card again and he said it wouldnt work. um ok
next stop someone two people jump on and one of the person scans their card twice.
he doesnt say a peeop to them while im scrambling for change
i ask why i couldnt just scan again to pay the zone again he refused.
i told him i dont have the zone charge money. so im asked to exit the bus on the next stop.
i jump on the next bus and tap and no problems. bus drivere didnt say anything.
Absolutely frustrating
whats the point of buying the card if it isnt smart enough do deduct the zone fare.
If I need to buy a sticker on top of what i already loaded then it really defeats the purpose of using this card. i might as well carry cash.
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Post by Elson on Jun 22, 2012 17:26:44 GMT -8
ok so can someone explain how the zone charge i bought a tap card and loaded 20 dollars on the site had to go downtown on the silver line and had no problem in the afternoon when i tried going home i tapped and then the bus driver said there was a zone charge in downtown. i was going to tap my card again and he said it wouldnt work. um ok next stop someone two people jump on and one of the person scans their card twice. he doesnt say a peeop to them while im scrambling for change i ask why i couldnt just scan again to pay the zone again he refused. i told him i dont have the zone charge money. so im asked to exit the bus on the next stop. i jump on the next bus and tap and no problems. bus drivere didnt say anything. Absolutely frustrating whats the point of buying the card if it isnt smart enough do deduct the zone fare. If I need to buy a sticker on top of what i already loaded then it really defeats the purpose of using this card. i might as well carry cash. The fare card might be smart, but the bus driver obviously isn't!
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Post by thedessie on Jun 22, 2012 20:50:23 GMT -8
I learned the hard way that you need to learn what buttons to press on the console to pay the zone fare whilst riding the 439. The majority of drivers seem to have no clue how to handle cash value.
I've never actually ridden the Silver Line, but on 439, if I had them press 4, it would charge me the .70 for the zone fare (I had a Metrolink pass to cover the rest). 2 will charge you 2.20, which was the full fare for 439....hopefully that might help you a bit.
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Post by macross287 on Jun 23, 2012 17:24:22 GMT -8
Was just reading the Spanish Source (El Pasajero) and apparently Wilshire/Normandie is the first Metro station to stop selling paper tickets and convert to TAP card only functioning by the end of next week. All Metro TVM's, including the Orange Line's, should be operating under TAP card only functioning by August 9th.
I guess we will no longer see confused tourist trying to TAP their paper tickets anymore. =P
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Post by James Fujita on Jun 26, 2012 0:24:53 GMT -8
The fare card might be smart, but the bus driver obviously isn't! Unfortunately, this sounds like it sums up the situation. Hopefully some drivers are better than others... The good news is, LADOT's DASH/ Commuter Express buses are now on TAP.
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dane
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by dane on Jun 26, 2012 10:06:08 GMT -8
The fare card might be smart, but the bus driver obviously isn't! Unfortunately, this sounds like it sums up the situation. Hopefully some drivers are better than others... The good news is, LADOT's DASH/ Commuter Express buses are now on TAP. Well, technically they are, anyway. I've taken the Commuter Express a few times this week, and the afternoon operator consistently claims that the TAP reader is not functioning (even though I can tell by the display it is active) forcing me to deposit cash to get home. It has worked without problems inbound in the mornings and one different operator in the evening. I should report this driver to LADOT.
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Post by Elson on Jun 26, 2012 12:55:10 GMT -8
The interesting thing about other systems adopting TAP, and perhaps one of the main reasons why adoption is molasses-slow, is that, because TAP is more or less a proprietary system run by Cubic Transportation Systems, the normal routine of competitive bidding can't apply here, since other vendors cannot offer the same system that Metro is offering. Most government bodies have to go through the competitive bidding process with its private vendors, but in this case it's not feasible, so certain public bodies have to make concessions or look for loopholes to make it work.
It's good news for Cubic, who runs the majority of contactless fare transit systems in the world.
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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Jun 26, 2012 15:49:23 GMT -8
I wonder when Metrolink will finally have the new fare media that TAP compatible for me as a Monthly Passholder
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Post by joshuanickel on Mar 25, 2013 11:53:02 GMT -8
Quick question, If I am at a TVM how much does it cost to buy a tap card loaded with a day pass? I believe it is $6.00 but I am not sure?
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Post by Gokhan on Mar 25, 2013 12:24:58 GMT -8
Quick question, If I am at a TVM how much does it cost to buy a tap card loaded with a day pass? I believe it is $6.00 but I am not sure? Correct -- one-time charge of $1 for the card + $5 for the day pass, good through 2 am or so.
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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Apr 9, 2013 8:05:30 GMT -8
Gates were latched at Wilshire/Western and Union Station today. I TAP'd my way through both
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Post by joshuanickel on Apr 25, 2013 5:07:31 GMT -8
Quick question,
When at a TVM, can you use the stored value that is on your TAP card to pay for a day pass. If so how do you do it? Is there a certain way to go about doing it on the TVM?
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Post by mattapoisett on Apr 25, 2013 7:42:43 GMT -8
Quick question, When at a TVM, can you use the stored value that is on your TAP card to pay for a day pass. If so how do you do it? Is there a certain way to go about doing it on the TVM? Tap your card on the TVM to get quick access to the menu. Select add a pass. Select day pass. When it asks you for the fare, tap your card on the sensor to have the money taken from your stored value. That's it.
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andop2
Junior Member
Posts: 70
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Post by andop2 on Apr 25, 2013 7:44:41 GMT -8
Quick question, When at a TVM, can you use the stored value that is on your TAP card to pay for a day pass. If so how do you do it? Is there a certain way to go about doing it on the TVM? After you have selected the type of pass you want and it is time to enter payment, simply tap your card again and payment will be deducted from your stored value.
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Post by culvercitylocke on Apr 25, 2013 9:55:17 GMT -8
So I've had a TAP card since they forced you to buy them last fall, but I haven't had to make any trips since then that would require a day pass. Has metro done away with the day pass? So with TAP I would tap (pay $1.50) at the expo line, then tap again (pay another $1.50) at 7th/Metro to transfer to the Red Line to go to union station, and then repeat the performance on the way back paying $6 total? And if I were transferring to the Gold Line to go up to Pasadena, it'd be $9 total to ride metro for the day?
Or is there some special way with the tap card to buy a day pass?
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Post by bzcat on Apr 25, 2013 10:05:44 GMT -8
So I've had a TAP card since they forced you to buy them last fall, but I haven't had to make any trips since then that would require a day pass. Has metro done away with the day pass? So with TAP I would tap (pay $1.50) at the expo line, then tap again (pay another $1.50) at 7th/Metro to transfer to the Red Line to go to union station, and then repeat the performance on the way back paying $6 total? And if I were transferring to the Gold Line to go up to Pasadena, it'd be $9 total to ride metro for the day? Or is there some special way with the tap card to buy a day pass? There is no special way. Metro has the capability to automatically cap your fare at $5 (or $6) but they have refused to implement it. If you know you will be taking multiple "rides" (another stupid Metro annoyance), you need to buy a day pass to avoid getting TAP raped.
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Post by mattapoisett on Apr 25, 2013 10:14:20 GMT -8
.....is there some special way with the tap card to buy a day pass? You use the ticket machine at the station to by the day pass using the money on your Tap card. You should be able to do this on the bus but depending on the driver, YMMV.
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