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Posted on Fri, Jul. 25, 2003 http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/news/6381898.htm
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Date Posted: 25/07/03 5:18:13am
In reply to:
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/6372664.htm
's message, "Posted on Thu, Jul. 24, 2003 Translink--San Francisco" on 25/07/03 3:13:11am
Posted on Fri, Jul. 25, 2003
BART makes demands on TransLink
By Lisa Vorderbrueggen
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
OAKLAND - BART will close its doors to TransLink, the universal electronic fare card, until the program's administrators make it meet the transit system's demands, its elected directors agreed Thursday.
BART officials want TransLink to accommodate its popular high-value discount program and for its patrons to be able to add money to the cards in BART ticket machines.
The agency also seeks permanent access to TransLink operating software, which would permit its in-house programmers to make adjustments rather than pay an outside contractor.
"I'm a proponent of TransLink, but we don't want to make the use of public transit more complicated and difficult for our riders," said BART Director Joel Keller of Antioch. "It's inconceivable to me that our riders would use TransLink if they cannot (add money to it) anyplace except in a BART station."
BART's worries are solvable, said Metropolitan Transportation Commission spokesman Randy Rentschler. The commission coordinates TransLink.
"We will continue to work with BART and move to place TransLink into the hands of all Bay Area transit riders as soon as possible," Rentschler said.
BART's participation is vital to TransLink's future, which concluded a highly successful pilot project last year.
The commission estimates BART will generate a third of the card's business. BART and San Francisco MUNI combined will comprise an estimated 70 percent of TransLink's use.
MUNI also has balked at joining the consortium of six transit operators that will govern TransLink and launch installation later this year.
BART and the large San Francisco transit agency have been concerned about the cost of running TransLink. As the two largest operators, they will absorb the lion's share of the expense.
The two agencies and the commission have been negotiating for months with the contractor, Australia-based ERG, over ways to cut costs.
"MUNI is just trying to get the best deal for the Bay Area," Rentschler said.
But at least one of BART's demands cross into TransLink operating philosophy.
BART seeks a separate e-account on TransLink that will allow its customers to view the high-value discount at the time of purchase rather than at the time of the ride.
The rail agency generates a quarter of its revenue from passengers who buy tickets in quantities of $30 or higher and see an immediate 6.7 percent discount reflected on the ticket.
The commission proposed an alternative that applies the discount at the time of the ride, which BART dislikes.
"Yes, our solution has a different feel to the customer," Rentschler said. "But having separate dollars on the card for BART defeats the purpose of creating a single card that's good everywhere."
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Lisa Vorderbrueggen covers transportation and growth. Reach her at 925-945-4773 or lvorderb@cctimes.com.
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