justalurker66 wrote:Coexist until the machines take over. If the machines are more cost effective and are accepted by passengers they will win.
JL and Everyone: In the case of NJT and the LIRR it took the implementation of high on board
penalty surcharges to force riders to use machines before boarding: $5 flat on NJT and higher
fares of between $5.75 and $6.50 more on the LIRR. METRA now has the $5 penalty charge
with the introduction of the Ventra app option now readily available as most of us know...
Has METRA made any new move to install TVMs at stations on lines other then METRA Electric?
Noting how METRA is closing selected station ticket offices this reminded me how the LIRR had
closed some ticket offices in the recent past - by waiting for a senior ticket agent or clerk to
retire and then abolish and not fill the job afterwards.
In any case there is a percentage of riders that will not use a smartphone app and prefers to
have a physical ticket as payment of fare - count me in this category - and perhaps there are
some passengers who refuse to use any electronic ticketing option due to privacy reasons.
I am no fan of "forcing" riders to use something they would rather perhaps not use but in this
case it would take a substantial incentive - high penalty charges for starters - for passengers
to use a new or updated fare option. Any new electronic system should be easy to use and
decipher or it may end up being thoroughly shunned by riders. As an example SEPTA Regional
Rail in Philadelphia is seeking to mass-replace their current ticket and pass system with the new
SEPTA Key - which will include turnstiles and gates at major stations such as those in Center City
Philadelphia - which may end up causing far more problems then it is worth on implementation.
Most of us know and remember how the turnstiles and gates on METRA Electric were and how
they eventually fell out of favor over time...
MACTRAXX
EXPRESS TRAIN TO NEW YORK PENN STATION-NO JAMAICA ON THIS TRAIN-PLEASE STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING TRAIN DOORS