Sunday, February 16, 2014

The cell phone app violates transit equity

So what are people supposed to do now if they don't have a 'smart phone'? They will be penalized either by being forced to get off at the next station (missing the train they are on)  and buy a ticket or suffer a $175 ticket.

Instead of creating a better fare system for all citizens they have once again showed their true colors catering  to white upper class citizens who are the ones the primarily have 'smart phones' with internet access. And each time a rider buys a ticket on this new app part of the fare goes to a private for profit company with ties to former Trimet executives.

Trimet has just created a new sub class of riders.

Trimet never had any transit equity, never will have any transit equity, and will continue to lie about it.

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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousSunday, February 16, 2014 9:35:00 PM

    So when TM gets its electronic fare system under way in a year or two which is hyped as making a better fare system for everybody, then I suppose you'll advocate for them to hand out free cell phones....

    Just curious...NOT COUNTING MAKING IT FREE TO RIDE, which we all know would be the ultimate solution that will never happen while the HANSONS and MCFARLANES rule the transit work..taking into account current changes AND changes TM is bringing (supposedly) with the Orange line with an paperless fare system, what are YOUR suggestions to improve the fare system and fare equity?

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  2. Erik H.Monday, February 17, 2014 8:46:00 PM

    Stored value cards were the way to go then, now, tomorrow... Other transit agencies (most of them, mind you) have figured it out. There's no "equity" issue; in fact it actually enhances service to low-income/minority riders because social service agencies can acquire the cards, load appropriate fare on it, the cards double as the "Honored Citizen" cards that TriMet currently have to make up, the agencies don't have to worry about people selling their unused tickets for cash (to be used for other things like cigarettes, alcohol, lottery tickets, etc.) - the list goes on and on.

    Unlike paper tickets, if the card is stolen (provided it is registered) the card can be remotely deactivated and a new card issued with the already paid for fares intact.

    But TriMet, in its infinite wisdom has decided it needs to pay CH2MHill millions of dollars to invent a new system that even extends far beyond transit utility (since when was TriMet a pre-paid debit card provider or a bank?) because someone at Sound Transit said their card system is "out of date" - even though it works great, is used by hundreds of thousands, and will continue to be in use for decades?

    My guess is that the guy at Sound Transit made a wise-crack, just to make TriMet look more foolish than it already is. But who at TriMet cares? Success or failure is not measured by ridership or public opinion, it's measured by...well, I'm not sure.

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