9623 replies to this topic

[Coreyburger]

Why can't we just get something like this: https://vancouversun...r-your-keychain

Compass uses Cubic's system, which takes a long time and a lot of money to setup. So BC Transit wants to skip right past that to tap your phone, but that isn't quite there yet

[kxl]

There are heaps of vending machines that accept coins, credit cards, tap pay, and cash. What makes an entire vending machine cost $4,000 but a single fare box on a bus $13,000?

You can’t show your empty chip bag to transfer buses.

[Mike K.]

No, but you do have to show a driver a slip of paper. No payment kiosk necessary there at all.

[FogPub]

Idea for BC Transit for next year's lighted truck parade:

 

Last night the BC Transit bus in the parade ran empty except for the driver.  BCT could run some sort of draw during the preceding week, with the entry "fee" being a food donation and the prize being tickets for two to ride on the decorated bus, total maybe ten prizes so max. 20 people on the bus thus giving lots of space for all.

 

Meet the bus at the Ogden Point parade start, then ride in the parade; the only extra bit for the bus driver would be taking the winners back to Ogden Point after festivities wind up at Western Speedway.

 

Thoughts?

[Victoria Watcher]

good idea.  

[sebberry]

the only extra bit for the bus driver would be taking the winners back to Ogden Point after festivities wind up at Western Speedway.

 

Thoughts?

 

Maybe they could just get a free pass to take transit back to their homes?

[Daveyboy]

 

Maybe they could just get a free pass to take transit back to their homes?

Would Victoria city council approve of such a wasteful expenditure?  It would be necessary to have a special CRD meeting of the whole in order to approve such extravagance!

[Nparker]

Has there been a final tally of how many "free" transit passes were distributed to CoV youth for use during the month of December?

[vortoozo]

Why can't we just get something like this: https://vancouversun...r-your-keychain

 

Compass cost $194 million to implement. And still require fareboxes for other payment methods.

[Nparker]

Did I suggest that a Compass-like system would eliminate fare boxes? Some sort of reloadable pass would encourage people who don't regularly take the bus to do so. One of the main reasons I don't take the bus very often is because the current payment methods are antiquated and inconvenient.

[DustMagnet]

Has there been a final tally of how many "free" transit passes were distributed to CoV youth for use during the month of December?

 

Free bus passes are like free healthcare clinics - there's always a long wait and often they turn you away because they're full.

[Victoria Watcher]

Did I suggest that a Compass-like system would eliminate fare boxes? Some sort of reloadable pass would encourage people who don't regularly take the bus to do so. One of the main reasons I don't take the bus very often is because the current payment methods are antiquated and inconvenient.

 

dropping $2.50 in coin or $5 in coin or bill is inconvenient?  i'm sure even in north park cash is still used frequently.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 December 2019 - 04:40 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Free bus passes are like free healthcare clinics - there's always a long wait and often they turn you away because they're full.

 

that's a real concern for sure.

[sebberry]

dropping $2.50 in coin or $5 in coin or bill is inconvenient?  i'm sure even in north park cash is still used frequently.

 

I almost never have cash/change on me.  If you want me to take the bus, it has to be made easier.  

 

I've saved a lot by not buying Girl Guide cookies on a whim outside the grocery stores.  I don't know why they don't take credit cards.

[Nparker]

I almost never have cash/change on me.  If you want me to take the bus, it has to be made easier...

When even the Salvation Army "kettle" campaign has started taking e-payments then you know that BC Transit is out of touch with what people need.

[Cats4Hire]

BC Transit really seems to overestimate how many of the people on the 4 are UVic/Camosun students, especially in December. At 2 PM almost full bus right up to Hillside Mall where it almost empties. 

[vortoozo]

What's wrong with an almost full bus? Seems like that would be the most efficient. Not passing anyone up, and not utilizing excess resources.

[FogPub]

I almost never have cash/change on me.  If you want me to take the bus, it has to be made easier.  

 

I've saved a lot by not buying Girl Guide cookies on a whim outside the grocery stores.  I don't know why they don't take credit cards.

To accommodate credit card payments they'd probably have to raise the fares, in order to pay the bank fees (which is why many merchants have a minimum purchase amount if paying by credit, even though in theory they're not allowed to).

 

I don't see why I should be making a bank richer when I take a bus somewhere.

[Victoria Watcher]

smart sophisticated businesses have no minimum purchase with credit and debit cards.

the fee is easily recovered in reduced administration costs for handling cash and more sales by taking multiple payment forms.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 10 December 2019 - 02:37 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

CUPE 7000, which represents 900 SkyTrain workers, had threatened to walk off the job at 5 a.m. Tuesday for three days if they couldn’t reach a deal with TransLink subsidiary the BC Rapid Transity Company (BCRTC).

That proved to be unnecessary as the two sides reached a breakthrough after a marathon 18-hour bargaining session, just minutes before the strike would have taken effect.

CUPE 7000 president Tony Rebelo acknowledged that there would be some SkyTrain delays Tuesday morning as the system got up to speed.

 

https://globalnews.c...strike-averted/