How Smart is the Q Card? Watch METRO Matters

re: How Smart is the Q Card? Watch METRO Matters

P&R Rider — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:59:50 GMT

I try to track my Q-Card balance to see when I need to add money to it. My company is a Ridesponser that subsidizes with a monthly load. My records were different from the balance shown on the Q-Reader on the bus. For those that don't know, your Ridesponser can request from Metro your Q-Card usage history. I got mine and found that the Q-Card is not as smart as Metro thinks it is. I discovered that the Q-Reader had subtracted a local fare instead of the correct P&R fare several times. It lists the bus route and the fare and the balance after the debit. It knew I rode the 265 bus, but it subtracted the wrong fare anyway, so some programmer did not program the unit correctly.

I will say that the Q-Card has sped up getting on the bus except when some unprepared person has to find their card or dig for money.

Of course there is a 3rd way besides Q and cash to ride Metro. Just walk on the bus or especially the train and don't pay. I would guess that only 20% of the train riders actually tap their Q-Card to pay for the ride. I would say 99% of bus riders on my P&R route pay up but I do see a few that make some excuse or are friends with the operator who lets them ride free.

re: How Smart is the Q Card? Watch METRO Matters

DominicMazoch — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:19:59 GMT

I do agree, Q has speeded up the boarding process.

re: How Smart is the Q Card? Watch METRO Matters

P&R Rider — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:32:41 GMT

To Answer Please:

I believe it is possible to get cash back from a Q-Card but there are a few caveats. The card must be a "personal card" and not a ride-sponsor card that your company gave you. It will help if the card is registered to you with an eMail address. You will have to go to the Main Street main Metro office at 1900 Main during the week days when they are open and find the treasury window (although they may have changed the name and location) and explain to the nice lady that you want your money back. They will read the card, determine if you are the rightful owner (so bring some ID) and you should be able to get your funds back although they may not give you cash on the spot but mail you a check or if you used a credit card to charge the Q-Card balance, they may issue a credit to that card.

I am not affiliated with metro but I was behind a patron at 1900 main when he tried to get money from a ride-sponsor card. (He was going to have to get a letter from his former employer authorizing the fund transfer since his former company put money on his card for him.)

Mary Sit should probably set the record straight if I have given bad info, but I think I'm right.

re: How Smart is the Q Card? Watch METRO Matters

Mary Sit — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:10:57 GMT

Frustrated P&R Rider,

Our apologies for the problems you've encountered with your Q Card. Please send an e-mail to Nicole Adler at na02@ridemetro.org and give her your phone number. She will call you and expedite a solution.

re: How Smart is the Q Card? Watch METRO Matters

Cedric Collins — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:38:03 GMT

Day Passes.....LOL.....