SFist: TransLink Update

Belgand

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:10:50 -0800

Yeah, I use it all the time and it works well almost all the time. On the rare occasion that it doesn't the driver usually just realizes that I'm trying to tag it and doesn't care. This is just yet another "official" testing period. The only important part is that it will allow you to put a revolving FastPass on your card instead of just paying cash. It won't yet work on BART either. Getting this up and running should have taken two years at most. I can't believe it's still going on.

withak

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:56:37 -0800

I saw some guy use it on the 71 sometime last week. He seemed surprised when it worked.

jameth

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:30:33 -0800

i saw translink working on the f-market the other night. seriously!

Akit

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:04:43 -0800

I also got stickers! See here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/agentakit/2389489696/ Just to note SFHope: Although you could use it on Muni, if you run into one of those fare inspectors and they write you a citation, you might lose on appeal because Muni could argue that you were not part of the test group. On the opposite hand, if you were part of the test group and got cited, the appeal would be successful.

SFHope

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:46:30 -0800

To all you people who want to try it out, You can already haz teh Translink. Just go buy one. Since it's already "official" on Golden Gate Transit and AC Transit, you can just go buy one at any of the authorized sales locations for it! Go to http://www.translink.org/ and find a location. I bought mine at one of the downtown Walgreens locations. Put money on it, it works just fine on Muni. The only limitation is you can't use it as a Fast Pass, just as cash fare. You don't need to be part of a special test group to have Translink.

aj

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:17:59 -0800

Back in the day they would send you a sticker. My Translink card still has the MUNI #0008 and #0006 stickers from that time.

Akit

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:35:32 -0800

That's odd, I also have the Fast Pass option available on my translink account. But sure as hell, I'm not going to sign-up for that. Sometimes you need the paper pass, like for BART, Cable Cars, and bus drivers who would get pissed at you for using that green card.

itsdahagao

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:05:59 -0800

I did not receive a letter or email letting me know that I was accepted into the trial group. However, if you signed up on the survey earlier in November, you should check Translink online if you have the option to add the Fast Pass. If they had given me some sort of notification, I would have bought a Fast Pass via Translink instead of a paper one. @Plug 1, perhaps you could try TransLinkRSVP[at]sfmta[dot]com

aj

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:34:40 -0800

All San Franciscans pack heart. Which we leave here upon departure.

Akit

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:25:29 -0800

The problem is that DC's system works well because one manufacturer makes the cards and readers. Unfortunately, Translink runs on Motorola ERG's programming, and while it works fine on most systems since Translink contractors installs the readers, BART is a problem because the gates are not made for Motorola ERG, it's made for Cubic (just like DC's program).

largo01

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:22:10 -0800

periqueblend: true, but that shouldn't change anything. The system doesn't get that much more complex because you are using different carriers.

mamcart

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:08:04 -0800

Okay, obviously you can't pack heat to this little party, but packing a cream pie for some Muni functionary wouldn't be against the law...

chrisr

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:58:34 -0800

Except that it doesn't work on Bart. /sigh

chrisr

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:58:02 -0800

My translink card works just fine, thank you.

periqueblend

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:50:25 -0800

In DC is run by one company. Isn't translink trying to be the one system to unite them all?

Greg

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:45:19 -0800

wow this is just weird internet day...how'd I get two identical comments?

Greg

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:04:40 -0800

comment fail...I tried stopping that first one I made from going up because right when I hit "post" the email arrived. d'oh!!!

largo01

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:58:51 -0800

Incidentally, my internet connection also needs to be repaired. Good god, its like Muni runs my ISP.

Plug1

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:58:23 -0800

but of course. why would MUNI have an email account that works, considering the daily nightmare that is, well, MUNI. from my inbox, post sending an RSVP for tomorrow nights hoo-ha: This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently: TransLinkRSVP@sfmta.org Technical details of permanent failure: We tried to deliver your message, but it was rejected by the recipient domain. We recommend contacting the other email provider for further information about the cause of this error. The error that the other server returned was: 550 550 5.7.1 ... Relaying denied. Proper authentication required. (state 14).

largo01

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:54:09 -0800

The Metro FastPass Cards in DC work perfectly and on all transporation--bus and metro. I don't know why we can't get ours to work properly.

jacksevanroo

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:35:28 -0800

I think you meant "packing heat," but "packing heart" would be a tender moment I wouldn't want to miss.

Ginger

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:31:12 -0800

it's One SOUTH Van Ness.

oola

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:31:02 -0800

Same here. Been using my original Translink test card on Muni for a while now. So much better than Fast Pass or cash.

Greg

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:29:15 -0800

I rsvp'd but never heard back from 'em. which is too bad because it would be nice to at least try out the thing, maybe loan it to friends visiting from out of town to spare them the pain and suffering of paying cash on a rainy day on MUNI....

SFHope

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:14:30 -0800

Yeah, I'm not part of any "trial group" or anything, but I got a Translink card for the sole reason that it saves me time when I have to loan my fastpass to someone or if I forget to get it for some reason (it's not very cost effective unless you take a lot of muni trips for the entire month. Wait a week and most people are better off paying cash). It works fine, although I find that I have to tag the sensor twice a lot, which is annoying. It does have the plus of letting me in faregates that are "exit" gates in the station. Of course, with a fast pass, I could just use the handicapped entrance when it's crowded. Personally I wish BART and Muni would get MARTA-style gates that are not jumpable --that would help against fare evaders, or NYC-style "revolving door" gates for similar reasons.

ehjauriksson

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:13:04 -0800

Tomorrow makes it Tuesday.

aj

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:08:50 -0800

It's worked perfectly with my 2002 vintage test card for at least the last six months or so.