Debit/Credit Payment for ETS

[jstock]

Seeing how Calgary has beaten us to adding Debit and Credit payment to their C-Train stations, I think it is now time for ETS to retrofit their LRT fare payment machines to do the same.

However. I know that the city budget is tight as it is, so I have a suggestion. How about a 25 cent surcharge to transactions that are paid for using credit and debit cards. Using the ATM at the station to withdraw cash will set you back a $1.50 "convenience" fee, so I don't think asking for 25 cents is unreasonable.

I would suggest that the collected funds from this surcharge be directed exclusively towards the cost of retrofitting existing machines. Once the retrofit is finished and all costs recovered, the fee should be removed. All new installations will need to be paid for at the time of purchase using the budget line.

Thoughts?

[Medwards]

It wasn't long ago that the ctrain fare machines didn't even give you change from a bill... Hopefully Edmonton can evolve too. Using debit or credit would be handy cause many don't carry cash anymore

[jstock]

True that. The line for the ATM was almost as long as the line for the ticket machine the other day (for the Metallica concert).

[halocore]

I think the 25 cent fee is quite reasonable, and a good way to pay for the cost of retrofitting the ticket machines. Especially, as you say, when the atms in the stations charge way more. So long as the the debit and credit transaction fees charged to the city aren't too high, it would be very handy to have.

If the city does go to some sort of "smart card" setup for paying fare, I would be very surprised if they didn't include debit / credit in the machines that recharge the cards.

[jstock]

Smart card is already built in. It just needs to be activated. It is a proximity card sensor. Debit and credit would require a new build.

[halocore]

It probably wouldn't be too hard to retrofit a pin pad terminal onto the existing machines. It's likely just a standard desktop pc inside the ticket machine case. Pin pads will connect over usb pretty easily. I rather suspect it would be the bank and credit card companies' merchant transaction fees that would end up being the costly part of adding debit / credit.

[sundance]

What about linking up with NFC and text message payments? ATM and credit card payments would be nice too.

[geordieinthecity]

why dont they just up the fare, again?

[Komrade]

Lets just get a smart card system that can be loaded at any station via cash credit or debit.

[EveB]

I agree. Smart cards are on their way in and I don't like the idea of messing about with interim arrangements.

Eve

[MrOilers]

Count me in as an advocate for a smart card system as well.

And they need to be on LRT AND buses.

[Komrade]

Originally Posted by MrOilers

Count me in as an advocate for a smart card system as well.

And they need to be on LRT AND buses.

Wouldnt be too hard.

Just need to put the initial $$ down to get system in place. And I dont think its cheap lol.

[chrisvazquez7]

Why not a smart phone app that acts as a "ticket" or a "monthly pass", depending on what you choose to purchase? The cost of implementing that would be next to nothing, and would be just as reliable as the current tickets.

[jstock]

This is kind of getting off topic (sort of).... I know smart cards, apps, rubber ducks....all good ideas, but we don't even have the basic things yet. I'd rather have debit and credit first.

[chrisvazquez7]

Many people have smartphones. And it would cost less to implement than credit/debit machines. Also it may increase ridership as it would be an easy and convenient way to purchase/renew monthly passes or just buy a 90-minute ticket.

They could maybe even partner with Apple and their new PassBook feature in their newest operating system coming out this fall for iPhones and iPods. A similar program may be in place for androids as well?

[jstock]

^^^Already asked ETS to implement that

[ike9126]

I believe other cities use similar fare vending machines to ours, except they are equipped with credit/debit readers. I doubt it would be that hard to outfit one or two in every station with readers, and it would definitely make things more convenient for riders.

[ChrisD]

Originally Posted by chrisvazquez7

Why not a smart phone app that acts as a "ticket" or a "monthly pass", depending on what you choose to purchase? The cost of implementing that would be next to nothing, and would be just as reliable as the current tickets.

Actually ETS is currently doing this right now. There have been a select number of people who are testing this application.

Aaaaand Smartcard is on its way.

[Citysource]

On September 18 the COE Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will be receiving a report on Smart Fare options and seeking direction on a regional GreenTRIP application for a regional smart fare system.

The biggest cost for COE in implementing a smart fare system of any kind is adding the technology to the 900+ buses in the fleet. LRT is not so much an issue. The view is to look to open payment systems (as opposed to proprietary systems like PRESTO/OYSTER) that would allow the use of a bank and credit cards as well as apps and pre-paid products. So this means putting bank credit card readers on machines now would be a redundant investment. In the open payment system being looked at you could use a MasterCard with 'paypass' RFID technology to 'tap-in" and 'tap-out' of the system. You'd then get billed for your transit trips.

CRB is looking into streamlining or integrating fares with the other regional operators. When it happens the 3 regional operators are looking to all be on the same technology platforms. Stay tuned!

[azzey]

^ Oooooh I like the tap-in-tap-out with PayPass thing! That'd be so handy!

[fanfare]

Yesterday Council accepted the business case for implementing Smart Fare, allocated $7 million toward it, and instructed the Mayor to approach our partners in the region to look at sharing the cost of the municipal portion (another $3 million) and approaching the province to fund the balance of $20 million out of the Green Trip fund. It happened without debate, and with unanimous support, which is extraordinary given the many bumps along the long road to this decision

I have been advocating for Smart Fare since before I joined City Council, as far back as 2006 when I was doing government relations for the undergraduates at the University of Alberta and we were negotiating the initial U-Pass deal. We could see then how much of a difference an intelligent card would make to ease of distribution for ETS and the post-secondary institutions. It’s also easier for riders and speeds up boarding and validation for drivers. It seemed like a no-brainer six years ago.

http://www.doniveson.ca/

From Don Iveson's Blog. London has the Oyster Cards; Hong Kong has the Octopus Cards. I can't wait for the Beaver Card + credit/debit card + smart phone system for ETS.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Originally Posted by azzey

^ Oooooh I like the tap-in-tap-out with PayPass thing! That'd be so handy!

Here in Edmonton, it will be called "Tapout"

[GranaryMan]

Okay, off topic...I know, BUT why don't we have a "regional" transit system for the capital region? Instead of having Strathcona transit and Edmonton Transit and St. Albert transit, why not consolidate them all into one system (Capital Transit or Metro Edmonton Transit System or something like that) like American cities do?

It seems like it would increase profit for the transportation company and reduce redundancy by having one unified "board" that made decisions for the region. Instead of ETS having to try and negotiate and make deals with Strathcona and St. Albert when trying to bring in something like the Smart Card and Debit/Credit payments it would just be implemented.

[sundance]

That is part of the the Capital Region Board's goals
http://capitalregionboard.ab.ca/transit