lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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The reason I would do a stack of day passes is to elminate the need for exact change when I do need the bus. I have the one they gave out during the earth day events stashed in my wallet for emergencies. Just keep the stack at home, leave 1-2 in a wallet or bike bag for emergencies.
Would be much easier and more cost effective to have a rechargeable card. Think of the trees!
johnwirtz
Glenview, IL
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lifeontwowheels wrote Far more convenient to take a card to a kiosk near the bus lines and put 20 bucks or whatever on the card as you need it. Or have the card tied to a credit card or checking account that would deduct monthly based on use.
That is how most cities do it. It's exactly how I use my Chicago Card. When I run low, I add $20 at the train station and use it until I run out again. They also have Chicago Card Plus, which charges your credit card automatically when you run low on cash. Both cards can be configured as monthly passes, with or without senior or student discounts, etc... It's kind of like having another credit card in your wallet that can only be used for one thing. I wonder if there would be a way to embed the RF reader technology into an actual credit card? How much would a credit card company pay to be the exclusive partner of a transit agency? Maybe enough to cover the cost of the system?
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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With technology, I am sure they could maybe even do something akin to the key fobs you swipe for discounts, if space is a consideration in your wallet. Or biometrics, like the pay with fingerprint someplaces have.
Another advantage to having a rechargeable card is the possibility of in home transactions. Log on to COTA, enter your rider number and pay by credit whatever amount you want.
johnwirtz
Glenview, IL
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lifeontwowheels wrote With technology, I am sure they could maybe even do something akin to the key fobs you swipe for discounts, if space is a consideration in your wallet. Or biometrics, like the pay with fingerprint someplaces have.Another advantage to having a rechargeable card is the possibility of in home transactions. Log on to COTA, enter your rider number and pay by credit whatever amount you want.
Right, you wouldn't need many ticket vending machines with pay-by-internet technology. The real advantage of the smart cards though is faster boarding - no fumbling with crumpled dollar bills - and therefore less dwell time at stops.
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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hopefully in the next 28 years, 21st century technology arrives in Columbus.
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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lol...
I love Columbus, but sometimes its laughable.
This is a great idea (dump the pump) and would probably be successful at some point in the future. As it is now, I think too many people would have issues with just some of the basic issues that COTA would take a huge PR hit.
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