Public Transportation

[hula]

Thanks for that info! Now I know what to expect and what to do.... appreciated!

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by krakenten

Unless they upgraded, those machine will not reliably accept bills.

Pick up some dollar coins at the bank.

DC had the debit system as far back as 1989-as usual, Baltimore is third rate.

The machines have been working fine for me and I use them almost every day. (not the last few days though-the weather has been wonderful and walking is much more enjoyable.)

[matt345]

The ticket machines still don't accept Credit/Debit cards? I didn't realize it was still the 1980's. Every other transit system I've used, from New York, DC, to LA accepts credit and debit cards. Why not Baltimore?

[rudy_d]

Originally Posted by barante

It's slow and requires too many steps to complete a purchase. So there is often a line.
Whenever I go to Europe, I can buy a debit card for transit and reload it when it runs low. I can do that in the Washington Metro, but not in Baltimore!

I'm not disagreeing that the light rail's machines are confusing, but I've found the DC Metro's machines to be some of the most confusing I've ever encountered if you're trying to buy a single ticket.

[matt345]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

I'm not disagreeing that the light rail's machines are confusing, but I've found the DC Metro's machines to be some of the most confusing I've ever encountered if you're trying to buy a single ticket.

The DC Metro overall is more confusing than it needs to be. It starts with the parking situation at many of the outlying stations. You have to buy a smart card in order to use the park and ride lots/structures and make sure that you use that same card for your metro trip, or else you'll be charged a very high parking fee...imagine how all this sounds to first time riders or tourists. Then there's the ridiculously overpriced fare system where you're charged based not only on how far you go, but what time of day you're traveling. Whatever happened to just buying a one way ticket, e.g. the New York subway?