Comments on: The TransLink Travesty

By: Mr. Hankey

Mr. Hankey — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:19:07 +0000

I used my Translink all the time on MUNI through the end of 2007. As of January 1, 2008, the booth attendants at MUNI underground told me they were no longer allowed to issue me transfers. I took my regular trip a couple times, waving the Translink card at the bus drivers, who allowed me on, but that didn’t seem like a payment method I wanted to rely on. So I’m back to paying cash fare, with my Translink card gathering dust in a desk drawer. In fact, today I downloaded the refund form to just get my balance back and call it a day.
Incidentally, during the testing period, I found the MUNI underground setup something between amusing and ridiculous: I tag my card, the machine beeps, then I go to the turnstile, the attendant looks at a device to verify that I’ve paid, and pushes a button to let me in! Reminded me of the “Mechanical Turk” from the 1800s, which was purported to be a chess-playing computer, but actually had a person inside moving the pieces around.
How far are we from Silicon Valley again?

By: TheBoss

TheBoss — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:35:38 +0000

It works on the #1 bus now? I tried it about a month ago and the driver told me it has never worked.

By: Andrew de los Reyes

Andrew de los Reyes — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:05:31 +0000

I’ve been using Translink quite successfully on the Muni buses #1 and #27. I haven’t tried any other lines or systems.

By: Becks

Becks — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:28:27 +0000

I’ve heard mixed reviews about Translink on Muni – many people have had luck using the card but many others haven’t.

I’m hoping they’ll sort out their issues though, just as AC Transit initially did. I signed up as one of the first test users and for the first few months it was pretty unreliable. Some buses had Translink equipment, others didn’t. Some bus drivers just waived you through if the machines weren’t working, and others forced you to pay or get off. But after about 6 months, it started to run smoothly, and now I never have any problems.

Maybe by the end of the year, problems will subside on Muni too.

By: David

David — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:41:06 +0000

I’ve been refused on several Muni buses this summer.

I just buckle and have both the EZ-Card and Translink, assuming they’ll never have Translink for BART or anything else.

By: TheBoss

TheBoss — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:01:41 +0000

But, which buses? This isn’t just an idle question. I’d like to know where I can use this stupid card.

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:32:45 +0000

Above-ground.

By: TheBoss

TheBoss — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:13:18 +0000

What bus lines? The ones that go through the tunnels, or some other ones? I’ve tried it on several above-ground bus lines with zero luck.

Also, thanks for the info about waving the card at the cops. The thing is, you can’t know if you’re going to get a ticket ahead of time, since the people in the booths know next to nothing about TransLink.

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:54:38 +0000

I’ve never had a problem using Translink on Muni (including buses) since the July 15th official opening. I just wave my Translink card at the cops checking transfers, and have never had a problem.

By: TheBoss

TheBoss — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:54:37 +0000

Just out of curiosity, I clicked on Bart’s EZ-Rider page, thinking maybe I’d get that. Here’s what I found:

—

Thank you for your interest in our EZ Rider card. We have temporarily suspended registration as we prepare to add the ability to pay for parking as a new feature to the EZ Rider card in response to requests from our passengers. Please check the website in October as we will reopen the registration process once we have added the parking payment feature.

—

Real impressive. What are these people, retarded? I mean, their explanation is completely nonsensical and embarrassing. I’m glad I don’t work at Bart. If I did I’d probably just kill myself.