Smart cards are now in use by San Francisco Bay Area commuters. The
Metropolitan Transportation Commission and a half-dozen transit operators
kicked off 'Phase I' of a six-month pilot program of the 'TransLink'
electronic
fare payment system. Last week, the MTC and the TransLink Customer Service
Center mailed out 'TransLink' smart cards to approximately 4,300 program
volunteers. Each card has $3 loaded in TransLink e-cash. All together, 18 rail
stations, 31 bus lines, three ferry terminals, and two light-rail lines have
been outfitted with 'TransLink' card-readers. Participants in the pilot can
load value onto their fare cards at self-serve 'Add Value Machines' in transit
stations and some 40 retail locations throughout the Bay Area, or by calling
the 'TransLink Customer Service Center'. After the success of the pilot
program
is determined, MTC and the participating agencies plan to install 'TransLink'
equipment on all 21 Bay Area transit systems, which together carry in
excess of
1.6 million riders a day. MTC has contracted with Motorola and ERG Limited to
implement and operate the 'TransLink' fare-collection system.
Smart cards are now in use by San Francisco Bay Area commuters. The
Metropolitan Transportation Commission and a half-dozen transit operators
kicked off 'Phase I' of a six-month pilot program of the 'TransLink'
electronic
fare payment system. Last week, the MTC and the TransLink Customer Service
Center mailed out 'TransLink' smart cards to approximately 4,300 program
volunteers. Each card has $3 loaded in TransLink e-cash. All together, 18 rail
stations, 31 bus lines, three ferry terminals, and two light-rail lines have
been outfitted with 'TransLink' card-readers. Participants in the pilot can
load value onto their fare cards at self-serve 'Add Value Machines' in transit
stations and some 40 retail locations throughout the Bay Area, or by calling
the 'TransLink Customer Service Center'. After the success of the pilot
program
is determined, MTC and the participating agencies plan to install 'TransLink'
equipment on all 21 Bay Area transit systems, which together carry in
excess of
1.6 million riders a day. MTC has contracted with Motorola and ERG Limited to
implement and operate the 'TransLink' fare-collection system.