http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspxStarting next month, METRO will begin the rollout of the Q Card. The Q Card &ndash; which stands for &ldquo;quick card&rdquo; - has embedded in it a tiny computer chip and an antenna that will keep track of how much money you load onto the card and howenCommunityServer 2.1 (Build: 60809.935)http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#367Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:12:59 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:367PubliusTX<p>&gt;&gt;The Q Card will be rolled out in stages.&lt;&lt;</p> <p>No doubt! Perhaps you could tell your readers how many times the rollout of this long-promised stored-value card has been delayed, including this latest postponement?</p> <p>&gt;&gt;including Warsaw, Paris, Lyon, France, and Medellin, Columbia.&lt;&lt;</p> <p>I think you mean Colombia. </p> <p>&gt;&gt;Never say never to Wilson – he loves to take on challenges&lt;&lt;</p> <p>I suspect some folks in New Jersey might disagree with that characterization, since they were left to take on what an official investigation called his EZ Pass &quot;procurement disaster&quot; after he bailed out of his job there.</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#368Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:15:01 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:368Laurence Simon<p>- What indicator is there that a rider has successfully swiped their Q Card? Audible? Flash of light? Both?</p> <p>- Is there an online method of owners of card auditing whether their accounts have been correctly debited and transfers managed properly?</p> <p>- Is there a disputes phone line, email or web form for disputing screrwed-up transactions?</p> <p>- Will cards come with carriers or wallet-sleeves? Will they hard credit cards if you put it in your wallet and swipe it across the unit?</p> <p>- Is it possible to punch a hole safely in the card for handing off of a keychain?</p> <p>- Will mini-Qcards be available like mini-credit cards?</p> <p>- How will lost Qcards be handled? Will there be a 3-day delay process like the old timed passes, or can they be deactivated immediately?</p> <p>- Will the results from the test group be posted publicly?</p> <p>(more later)</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#370Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:02:34 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:370Royko<p>Has METRO ever recovered the $3 million they paid, in advance, to the initial vendor well over three and one-half years ago?</p> <p>Is the loss for the current TVM's included in the $30 million cost to convert?</p> <p>Why should it cost $30 million? &nbsp;Is it METRO's bureaucratic attitude that since it's just taxpayer money, so who cares what the enormous costs total?</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#377Thu, 18 Jan 2007 01:59:14 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:377Anonymous9 Ms. Mary: On January 8 and January 12, I asked you to provide answers to a VERY SIMPLE QUESTION, quoted below: QUOTE: " Now, let me make my previous question a little easier (from 1/8), in which I wanted to know how the eight directors utilized Metro (which involves parking in a Pk&Ride lot, hence involved with the posted subject). === "Let's start off by you telling us how each one of the eight persons named in the Director section of the Metro main page CURRENTLY uses the bus or Death Train EVERY DAY. " 1. Mr. David S. Wolff, Chairman 2. Mr. Gerald B. Smith, Vice Chairman 3. Mr. Jackie Freeman, Secretary 4. Mr. George A. DeMontrond, III 5. Bishop James Dixon, II 6. Ms. Carmen Orta 7. Mr. Rafael Ortega 8. Mr. C. Jim Stewart, III I expect them (or you) to provide an answer by Tuesday. Since they probably make more salary than you, they should be competent enough to answer this simple question. This would be a GREAT opportunity for them to introduce themselves individually on the blog. Step up to the plate, Directors!! The taxpayers are waiting. " END QUOTE. YOUR DEADLINE WAS TUESDAY. TONIGHT IS WEDNESDAY NIGHT. YOU HAD 10 (TEN) DAYS TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION. NOT ONE METRO DIRECTOR HAS ANSWERED THIS QUESTION. NOT ONE!!!!!!!!! IF YOU THINK I'M PI$$ED, YOU'RE RIGHT. THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF METRO BULLCRAP. NO EXCUSES. NO SLACK. NO MORE WASTING MY TIME ON THIS PURPLE PAP. I SAW, I TASTED, I SPIT YOU OUT. BOYCOTTING THIS BLOG AND THE PHONY DEATH TRAIN. BUH-BYE!!!!! P.S. CHIEF LAMBERT IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL TO RESPOND HERE. A HAT TIP AND HANDSHAKE TO HIM. <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#379Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:53:06 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:379Laurence Simon<p>Anonymous9:</p> <p>There's criticism, and then there's rude.</p> <p>I think someone needs a hug.</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#381Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:56:42 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:381Royko<p>Laurence,</p> <p>Was that Dr. Evil soliciting a hug? &nbsp;It sure sounded like him asking for a big bear hug! &nbsp;Has he also quietly been put on the METRO payroll? &nbsp;Who else, I ask, to head up the METRO condemnations for the many extensions of the unsafe, unreliable, and underutilized &quot;transit backbone?&quot;</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#382Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:26:01 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:382wakester<p>On some of the above questions :</p> <p>- I read that when you touch your card a sound and the light turns green. &nbsp;This is so the driver knows that you paid.</p> <p>- If you register your card, then if you report it lost then you will be able to transfer the balance to a new card.</p> <p>A questions I had :</p> <p>- will you be able to tie it to a credit card so that when the balance drops below a level it automatically adds to it (like the EzPass)</p> <p>- How will the 5 free after 50 work if you ride both $3 Commuter bus and $1 local bus. &nbsp;Hopefully they just put $55 on the card when you put $50. &nbsp;</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#384Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:46:11 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:384Rorschach<p>and what happens if the bus is tied up in traffic and by the time you get to your transfer the two hours have expired? My boss just got through spending two hours in traffic this morning. If a major breakdown or wreck occurs in the HOV, it is conceivable that everyone on that bus may have their transfer grace period expire before they arrive at the transfer point. and does the grace period restart after each swipe or do all swipes have to occur within the 2 hour period? As I stated previously, if I were to use METRO to get to work, even with everything being on time, it would take two hours and two transfers. (and this is to go 15 miles!). if the clock is not reset every time I swipe the card, my transfers would expire before I got to work, and if something happens, they could expire before I finished transferring.</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#386Thu, 18 Jan 2007 18:54:42 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:386pitoniakd<p>Metro sure has lots of technology. Not sure they are real good at applying it though. </p> <p>Can soemone tell me why I can't find out which buses are running on a given morning?</p> <p>A great example would be yesterday during the morning freeze. I checked the Internet site - no information as of 6:00AM. I looked for a number to call - came up short there too.</p> <p>I leave my house every morning at 5:30 to catch the 246 bus from Bay Area at 6:00AM. Every time we have a wether event, I have no way of knowing if the buses are running, if the HOV lane is open, etc. Can't this info be posted to the Internet?</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#388Thu, 18 Jan 2007 19:30:23 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:388Wolverine<p>Mary says: &quot;Some of the thousands of METRO employees who regularly ride METRO will also be using Q Cards.&quot; &nbsp;How many employees does METRO have? &nbsp;Do thousands of them regularly ride METRO? &nbsp;Does the &quot;thousands &quot; include the bus drivers? </p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#389Thu, 18 Jan 2007 20:38:57 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:389scientiffikk<p>Does this mean there will no longer be a round trip fare for the train? &nbsp;And how will the Metro Police do random fare checks? &nbsp;(Not that they are random now, anyway. &nbsp;Always checking at the same platform and checking every person is NOT random.)</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#390Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:49:18 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:390aznmadsci<p>I want to know how the Q Card will be offered to universities. &nbsp;I'm currently a student at University of Houston-Downtown and use both Metro and MetroRail to get around town using my UPass. &nbsp;What incentives have been given to the schools and universities since UPass will be discontinued?</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#394Fri, 19 Jan 2007 04:57:52 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:394Mary Sit<p>Great questions, everyone. I will be posting a blog on Friday with some answers. Check late afternoon.</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#396Fri, 19 Jan 2007 05:48:12 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:396tunnelrat<p>I'm still confused when I can/should/must trade in my annual pass (disabled) for a Q-card. &nbsp;I'm also confused as to what the terms will be under the new fare system. &nbsp;There's lots of hype about the Q-card but little &quot;hard&quot; information.</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#409Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:39:18 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:409Rorschach<p>Some other questions/comments. I presume these cards will be RFID cards much like the access control cards everyone uses from manufacturers like HID and others. Exxon/Mobil has a similar RFID system called SpeedPass that uses an RFID dongle on a keychain. Any chance that METRO could cut a deal with XOM to handle speedpass transactions as well using the same reader? the advantage would be that you won't have to sell them a pass, and you can charge them the full cash fare via the credit card they have associated with the account. Nobody has to handle money that way.</p> <p>What happens when you have multiple access cards? Do they interfere with each other? I have two HID ones in my wallet, one for my gym, and one for work, and they occasionally fight with each other.</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#410Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:46:58 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:410Mary Sit<p>Pitioniakd, sorry you couldn't find the information you needed on our Web site during Wednesday's morning freeze. You're right - the information on whether buses are running should have been there, and METRO does have a system in place to post notices on the Web. </p> <p>In this case, communication broke down in getting that information on our Web site, and we weren't as quick as we should have been.</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#411Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:56:16 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:411Mary Sit<p>Royko, regarding your question about the original vendor and METRO. Here's the answer from Paula Alexander, our legal counsel: </p> <p>&quot;The original vendor, Cubic Transportation, failed to perform satisfactorily, and the contract was terminated. METRO and Cubic are now in litigation. This case is still pending.” </p> <p>As far as why this conversion to the Q Card is costing $30 million, I hope to address that soon in a future post. </p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/> http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/write_on/archive/2007/01/17/Introducing.aspx#412Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:08:05 GMTd28ebc89-27af-41e7-9b5c-0c1b3d1b56ff:412wi11ie<p>Rorschach,</p> <p>Yeah I have the same problem with my cards.</p> <p>Finally found the only viable solution was to have them neutered.They don't like to get out as often and they almost never fight ;)</p> <p>wi11ie</p> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.ridemetro.org/>