Re: Canada Line Rant - Number Whatever (originally posted May 7 '09)

Comment posted May 8, 2009 - 10:14 AM
Mellenger said...

When TransLink starts using smart cards I think the zone situation will be a lot better. TransLink has some public consultations and open houses coming up you should check out. Here's the link: http://www.bepartoftheplan.ca/upcoming-consultations/

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Could've replied on the original thread, the usually proper place, but I've taken so long to reply that it might've seemed rude of me to seemingly bury it with the original post.

Before this, I did think to more personally reply you, Mellenger, tried to on your Blogger profile. Also, yeahhh, to have a looksie, see who you are, where you are. But, instead, got this: The Blogger Profile you requested cannot be displayed. Many Blogger users have not yet elected to publicly share their Profile.

Hmmm. Hmmm. Oh, well. Those were my little gears whirring.

Firstly, Thanks for visiting and reading my rant, Mellenger. And for your suggestions. Oh, I have felt frustrated, tempted to quit and no longer participate when Translink Listens comes calling. Quitting won't do any good, though, I know. So I'll be sticking around. Also do plan as well, in some way, to...'bepartoftheplan'. You know what they say...what was said..."If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

The smart card.

Do recall hearing about the smart card, its potential benefits, but it's been lost in the public relations morass that's left the public I'm around with the impression it'll be $100-million for turnstiles. A misinformed state that wants extensive, gentle clarifying, if Translink is to ever win over hearts and minds.

I'll give it a try...

Translink wants to implement a smart card system. $100-million is, or was, the starting figure. Not including turnstiles.

Some Provincial money has been promised. Because Provincial money is in the pot, the Province believes it has a say. In the months leading up to the Provincial election (now done), the Province, and other interested parties, wishing to allay widely publicized public fears over station safety, and figuring simultaneously to solve the somewhat debatable problem of fare evasion, have been pushing Translink to fast-track turnstiles that were not in the budget.

And the rest is the rancorous, half-informed stuff of online forums.

As to how good the smart card may become...well, we'll see. Possibly eliminate fare zones...we'll see. Perhaps enable cheap'cheap fares for short'short trips...my dream...would be nice. Knowing full well, of course, a human, or boardful of them, ultimately will decide how much good comes from anything.