51,000 rides in less than a month for streetcar (Atlanta, Auburn: transporting, license)

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Please join us for a Citywide Conversation to learn about recent updates to the Atlanta Streetcar System Plan

I will be there!

[cqholt]

SaportaReport | Atlanta Streetcar free to ride this year because Breeze card isn

“One of the drawbacks of the current technology is the background software support, to extend to the streetcar, offsets all the revenue we get from the $1 fare,” Mendoza said. “We have to come up with a lot better fee technology.”

[kasuga888]

^ I thought the breeze card is relatively new, how can it be so useless? There are many systems around the world that already had the ability to be integrated across multiple transit and payment systems before breeze card came out.

[jsvh]

Good post CQ. I hope they let me pay directly from my bank account using an app on my phone.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Good post CQ. I hope they let me pay directly from my bank account using an app on my phone.

That is what they are looking at. Also, MARTA is looking into that technology as well.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by cqholt

That is what they are looking at. Also, MARTA is looking into that technology as well.

Yeah, whatever they select should work with both systems.

But they should have been working on this before now. The streetcar has been in the works for a while.

[MattCW]

Just as long as they don't force people to use direct bank-withdrawl, I'm fine with it.

[cqholt]

Surprised Google wallet or Apple pay isn't working on something like this.

[jsvh]

SaportaReport | Mayor Reed’s office responds to discussion of delay of fare collection on Atlanta Streetcar

Jenna Garland, Reed’s press secretary, provided the following response:

The Atlanta Streetcar is committed to collaborating with MARTA to design a fare system that is convenient and sustainable for everyday commuters, visitors and large groups. The administration’s decision to allow the Atlanta Streetcar to remain fare-free for the rest of 2015 demonstrates our commitment to delivering a best-in-class experience for all riders.

The fare collection system was cumbersome. It wasn’t designed for the streetcar, and at the end of the day, it didn’t make sense for the streetcar. On top of this, developers and entrepreneurs were coming to us, excited about new technology that would work seamlessly with the Streetcar system.

By taking advantage of emerging technology, the Atlanta Streetcar will soon allow riders to use a smartphone app that will include trip-planning tools and provide electronic access to alerts, schedule information, and real-time arrivals.

Fare collection was projected to generate $304,000 in revenue in 2015. The streetcar will offset these funds through private, philanthropic support and operational savings. The Atlanta Streetcar is also operating $870,000 under the proposed budget for the year. Therefore, the loss of fare collection revenue will not cause cost overruns.

The Streetcar is driving redevelopment and reuse in the neighborhoods where it operates. More than $561 million has been invested in these neighborhoods in the past five years, and another $684 million is currently under construction. The Streetcar is bringing new energy and attention to Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods.

Approximately $48 million federal dollars contributed almost 50 percent of the total construction costs. Additional federal funds to the tune of $12.2 million awarded to support projects that reduce congestion and improve air quality – which the Atlanta Streetcar does – will defray annual operating costs for the first four years. Leveraging federal dollars, private partnerships and city funds is the smart approach.

The Atlanta Streetcar provides an integrated multi-modal, high-quality transit network that links communities, improves mobility by enhancing transit access and options, supports projected growth, promotes economic development and encourages strategies to develop livable and walkable communities.

Atlanta residents can be proud of its leading-edge, beautiful and transformative streetcar system and everyone can enjoy free service this year as the city works to finalize a fare collection system that achieves the level of excellence Atlantans deserve.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Surprised Google wallet or Apple pay isn't working on something like this.

This is the way MARTA and the Streetcar should be going. Use NFC, the industry standard. It's what WMATA is doing in DC. Metro - About Metro - News - Pay for Metro with your smartphone or watch? Testing starts soon.

The idea of the city trying to develop an app scares me. I work on the design of apps, and the development side is hard. Not hard to make an app, but it's incredibly hard to make a good app. One that doesn't crash, is kept up to date, supports the latest hardware. If MARTA's current app is a guide I don't have a lot of confidence in the city making a decent one for the Streetcar.

Just add NFC readers to the turnstiles. Done.