Press Releases

For Immediate Release

MTC Expands TransLink® Pilot Program, Makes Cards Available to Thousands More Volunteers

Muni Metro to Take TransLink® Systemwide

CONTACT:

Russell Driver
510.817.3252

Jacob Avidon
510.817.5765

John Goodwin
510.817.5862

OAKLAND, Calif., March 20, 2002...The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and a half-dozen Bay Area transit operators have expanded their six-month pilot program for the TransLink® regional fare payment system. MTC is prepared to issue as many as 2,000 to 3,000 additional TransLink® "smart cards" to new pilot program volunteers over the next few weeks. The first batch of TransLink® smart cards was mailed to some 4,300 program volunteers in late January, and the pilot program began Feb. 1 on selected routes and at certain stations of six of the region's largest transit agencies: AC Transit, BART, Caltrain, Golden Gate Transit, San Francisco Muni, and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.

"The whole point of the pilot program is to gather information so we can fine-tune TransLink® and make it work on every transit system in the Bay Area," noted TransLink® Project Manager Russell Driver of MTC. "We quickly decided that we wanted to open the system up to a lot more users than we originally thought."

To create a greater test of the TransLink® system's capabilities, MTC has opted to expand the pilot program — with a focus on recruiting volunteers who are likely to use TransLink® for at least two round trips each week. In addition, TransLink® is scheduled to go into operation next month throughout San Francisco's Muni Metro light-rail system.

Bay Area residents who wish to sign up for the pilot program can call the TransLink® Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-877-878-8883 or send an e-mail to custserv@translink.org (for a complete list of TransLink®-equipped routes and stations visit the TransLink® Web site at <www.translink.org>).

The TransLink® system uses "smart card" technology. Transit riders use a plastic card embedded with a computer chip that they load with a stored value equivalent to cash, stored rides or monthly passes. They need only tag the credit-card-sized card at an electronic reader device located on transit vehicles, in stations or at faregates, and the correct fare value is deducted automatically from the smart card. TransLink® factors in a host of variables when calculating fares, including different fare structures for every transit operator, transfers, routes, lengths of trips, time of day and discounts for youth, elderly and disabled riders.

Each TransLink® smart card distributed to pilot program volunteers is pre-loaded with $3 in TransLink® Electronic Cash (e-cash). Participants in the demonstration can load additional value onto their smart cards at self-serve Add Value Machines in transit stations and some 40 retail locations throughout the Bay Area, or by calling the TransLink® Customer Service Center. Add Value Machines accept cash, debit cards, and Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards. TransLink® users can reload value automatically by subscribing to the TransLink® Autoload Program.

"Keep in mind that this is still a pilot project," explained Driver. "Volunteers are occasionally finding that some of the equipment isn't working properly, so we're advising them to always be prepared to pay with cash, or a ticket or pass."

The TransLink® program is part of a coordinated effort by MTC and Bay Area transit operators to create a seamless regional transit network. The six operators in the TransLink® pilot program offer a sampling of the Bay Area's diverse modal mix, everything from ferries to streetcars to buses to commuter rail. All together, TransLink® can be used at 18 rail stations, on 31 bus lines, on three ferry routes, and on two light-rail lines. Once the pilot program is expanded to include San Francisco's entire Muni Metro System, pilot program volunteers will be able to use TransLink® on a total of six light-rail lines in San Francisco and Santa Clara County.

The TransLink® pilot program is scheduled to run through July 31, 2002. After the success of the pilot program is determined, MTC and the participating agencies plan to install TransLink® equipment on all 21 Bay Area transit systems, which together carry in excess of 1.6 million riders a day.

MTC has contracted with Motorola, Inc. and ERG Limited to implement and operate the TransLink® fare-collection system. MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county Bay Area.

# # #

Note to editors: For more information about the TransLink® program, visit the TransLink® Web page at <www.translink.org>.

Previous | Contents | Next