jackintosh11 wrote:And since SEPTA has said that cash payment will still be an option, how will that work for exiting the system if you didn't have a card? Will there be a system similar to the single ride tickets on PATCO...?
Most likely. Ticket with a magnetic strip goes into the machine, and gets collected by the machine. If there is no fare gate, you hold onto the ticket. The magnetic strips will most likely be coded so you can't use it at another station at another time.
And if the conductor doesn't have to collect tickets, how do they collect the cash?
The logical thing would be that they wouldn't. SEPTA would instead install TVMs and/or be forced to keep the ticket offices open until end of service. The system would then be entirely pre-pay with no on-board sales yet still have a cash option for people. I know, I know, 'logic' and 'SEPTA'... We'll have to wait and see.
And what's to prevent people from tapping the opposite side of the turnstile, and then tapping out and not paying? Or if someone taps in at suburban, for example, and then taps out again, and then rides the train?
I'm not sure I follow you too well here. If I understand you properly, you are asking if:
1. Someone taps on at, say, Suburban
2. Taps off at the same turnstile at Suburban, thus 'exiting' the system
3. Stays on the platform at Suburban and rides the train to, say, West Trenton
4. Leaves the station after getting a free ride
The best way to control fares and prevent this from happening to to have the conductors check people on the train with pocket card readers. This could be done systematically like they do now with tickets or randomly, but there has to be a penalty, not just a surcharge, for not having a valid ticket. They do random checks here in Sydney with both paper tickets and tap cards. It's (up to) a $500 fine for fare evasion if you don't have a paper ticket or are caught purposely trying to avoid paying with a tap card. If you didn't tap on validly, the fare inspectors tap you on and, I think, charge you the maximum one-way fare, as well. For fare could easily become $508 for a one way ride. Most people here aren't willing to risk that.
That being said, people will always try to cheat every fare system, I remember that being said on one of these many NPT forums. The question is, are the vast majority of Regional Rail commuters responsible enough for this system?
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