Railroad Forums
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ChesterValley wrote:In other news, SEPTA is beginning to issue temporary plastic keys to replace tokens. https://billypenn.com/2018/07/12/beyond ... e-in-need/
that link wrote: As SEPTA continues recruitment, it also plans to expand the Partner Program to offer more services. In addition to credit card payments, officials want to launch a one-trip card, and a one-trip card with a transfer. They expect those to hit the market in the fall of 2018.
JimBoylan wrote:It's not clear from the story whether the one-trip-plus-transfer card will be available to the general public or if it's limited to the Partner Program. If it IS being offered to everyone, this seems to be another case of backwards timing, like when they removed token machines from subway stations before new kiosks were installed. Certainly they could have retained paper transfers for a couple of months until the cards are ready, rather than gouging occasional riders for a double fare.that link wrote:As SEPTA continues recruitment, it also plans to expand the Partner Program to offer more services. In addition to credit card payments, officials want to launch a one-trip card, and a one-trip card with a transfer. They expect those to hit the market in the fall of 2018.
MichaelBug wrote:I have decided to throw caution to the wind & become one of the "Early Adopters". So, on Tuesday, 7/24/18, I purchased an August Monthly "Anywhere" TrailPass for my (previously existing, but little used until now) SEPTA Key, from the mobile kiosk (at North Wales on that day). My receipt lists the "product purchased" as "MTrailPassAny". It doesn't list the period of validity (i.e. August 2018).So far in the early going, mixed results with the Key. Validator at North Wales worked fine for both inbound trips yesterday (Wed. 8/1) & today (Thur. 8/2) & also for "tapping out" coming back from Center City yesterday. I can NOT tap out when arriving in Center City, because the turnstiles are unlocked ("No Fare Required") leaving the paid area.
I'm going to try it for a month, & share any unusual events in this thread.
Knowing SEPTA RRD's habits, I am still somewhat skeptical that I will be able to get through the month without at least one conductor either (a) challenging the validity of my pass (since it's on a Key card); or (b) not bothering to scan it, because he or she doesn't have one of the portable validator devices (which I have yet to see in use on ANY RRD train). I will carry my receipt just in case there are any issues. We shall see.
MichaelBug wrote:That is true. But what if an Early Adopter (whose "home station" is on another line that is part of the pilot, say for example, Lansdale) with a Anywhere TrailPass-enabled Key card, decides to take a ride to Wilmington?Further, will DART accept a Key cardthat's formatted for a TrailPass? Currently, you can use your legacy TrailPass on any DART bus route within Northern New Castle County, but am worried when I'm forced to get the Key Card that DART will not honor it.
The never-ending SEPTA Key rollout pushes on, this time with a bit of good news for the transportation service’s most tenured members: Starting Sept. 1, the $1 fee for Regional Rail rides for travel within Pennsylvania will be eliminated.https://www.phillyvoice.com/septa-offer ... septa-key/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
zebrasepta wrote:Seniors won't have to pay 1$ to use the regional rail starting in SeptemberReading between the lines, it sounds like once the state phases out its mag-stripe cards, seniors will need either a Senior Key or a one-day card to avoid paying a regular fare. That’s going to cut out anyone who isn’t from the area, similar to how eliminating paper transfers nails visitors and discretionary riders.The never-ending SEPTA Key rollout pushes on, this time with a bit of good news for the transportation service’s most tenured members: Starting Sept. 1, the $1 fee for Regional Rail rides for travel within Pennsylvania will be eliminated.https://www.phillyvoice.com/septa-offer ... septa-key/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.septa.org/media/releases/2018/8-2-18.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MichaelBug wrote:I have decided to throw caution to the wind & become one of the "Early Adopters". So, on Tuesday, 7/24/18, I purchased an August Monthly "Anywhere" TrailPass for my (previously existing, but little used until now) SEPTA Key, from the mobile kiosk (at North Wales on that day). My receipt lists the "product purchased" as "MTrailPassAny". It doesn't list the period of validity (i.e. August 2018).
I'm going to try it for a month, & share any unusual events in this thread.
Knowing SEPTA RRD's habits, I am still somewhat skeptical that I will be able to get through the month without at least one conductor either (a) challenging the validity of my pass (since it's on a Key card); or (b) not bothering to scan it, because he or she doesn't have one of the portable validator devices (which I have yet to see in use on ANY RRD train). I will carry my receipt just in case there are any issues. We shall see.
MichaelBug wrote:On Tuesday 8/7, I opted to take the 93 bus from near home in Collegeville to Norristown & then the Manayunk-Norristown (ex-RDG/R6) from there into town (as my car was in the shop). Also, I figured that this would be a good test of the Key on an RRD line that is NOT part of the pilot. Inbound, validator on platform @ Norristown TC worked fine, but conductor on Train 6203 didn't have validator & I had to explain to him that I had an Anywhere TrailPass loaded on my Key card. Outbound, conductor on Train 7250 DID have validator, but it happened that he had it stowed in his crew bag (he asked where I was going). He was able to scan the Key after we had departed Conshohocken. I believe that this may have been the first time he had performed a Key transaction on a revenue train. The validator on the outbound platform back at Norristown TC (to tap out) also worked OK.
bikentransit wrote:so once key goes into effect, will riders need to tap on the platform to get on the train AND have the conductor read the card on the train as well? What if one or both don't happen?It is my understanding that once the system is fully operational that Conductors will do 20 random audits per train. If you don't tap in, you can see your conductor to tap you in.
