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Post by al91206 on May 28, 2009 14:30:38 GMT -8
When TAP cards were first being introduced I remember hearing that you could recharge it with any amount of $$ and when you tapped in, it would be deducted, and if you tapped it a couple of times it would automatically figure out that a day pass was cheaper, so it would deduct that - etc etc.
It seems - as usual - the implementation went awry, and you can only recharge it with weekly or monthly passes.
Anyone know any information about this??
Thanks!
Al in SoCal
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Post by mattapoisett on May 28, 2009 14:43:27 GMT -8
Culver City is the only Local Municipality which loads cash value on to TAP cards. You can use those cash value cards on MTA and other TAP agencies and it will deduct the fare but it will not deduct things like transfers and will not convert to a Day pass when you reach $5. I have been told that functionality will be rolled out eventually. What I don't know is if cash value and a pass can be stored on a Card at one time or if one can use the cash value to buy a day pass. TAP is not forthcoming with the info. I haven't bothered to test the theory incase it breaks my card. Take Care - P. When TAP cards were first being introduced I remember hearing that you could recharge it with any amount of $$ and when you tapped in, it would be deducted, and if you tapped it a couple of times it would automatically figure out that a day pass was cheaper, so it would deduct that - etc etc. It seems - as usual - the implementation went awry, and you can only recharge it with weekly or monthly passes. Anyone know any information about this?? Thanks! Al in SoCal |
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Post by metrocenter on May 28, 2009 16:04:58 GMT -8
TAP is a huge disappointment, given how long it's taking to implement. As a software engineer who has worked on some pretty large projects, I can't understand how something so (relatively) simple could take so long to implement. The algorithms involved just aren't that complicated.
Even with the multiplicity of agencies involved, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to implement multiple policies. And hardware is not that expensive or complex either. Bottom line, a project like this shouldn't have taken more than a year to roll out.
My guess is that this is just another case of contractors taking advantage of Metro for tens of millions.
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Post by erict on May 28, 2009 16:36:10 GMT -8
It is taking a glacial amount of time, there must be a scam going on - I think you guys are right. Or maybe it is terribly complex.
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Post by Justin Walker on May 28, 2009 16:40:09 GMT -8
For almost a year, I have been a proud holder of a Culver City TAP card. You load X dollars on the card and every time you TAP, $1.25 is deducted. You can also load a Day Pass on, and $5 is deducted and the TAP is added. Whenever you tap after that, the validators recognize you have a pass and do not deduct more value for as long as the day pass is valid.
Unfortunately, the "fare fair" plan (where base fare are deducted until you hit a maximum day/week/monthly pass rate) has not been implemented on Metro or on any of the muni operators. Metro has stated it does not intend to implement stored value debit TAP cards until after all the fare gates are in place.
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Post by bluelineshawn on May 28, 2009 16:55:50 GMT -8
The rollout has been a disaster IMO, but it's better to have it than not have it. I don't know if everyone has heard, but many of the US and world transit agencies are looking at this type of contactless payment system to develop a single debit/transit card that you can use at any of the participating systems. You could then use your LACMTA Visa/MC debit card not only in LA, but in NYC, DC, or Paris.
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