MARTA proposes Breezecard cost increase (Atlanta: 2014, cost of, vs.)

[MattCW]

MARTA - Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

MARTA is proposing the cost of the Breezecard to increase to $2, and the BreezeTicket (it still exists?) to $1. The group passes look ok to me, but I'm not sure MARTA needs to be increasing the cost of the card when it's trying to pull in choice riders who may not keep their cards handy, or just may be turned off the first time and never come back.

[tikigod311]

Offer the option for tickets on my phone via NFC and I'm down! Maybe this is to help pay for that.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by MattCW

MARTA - Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

MARTA is proposing the cost of the Breezecard to increase to $2, and the BreezeTicket (it still exists?) to $1. The group passes look ok to me, but I'm not sure MARTA needs to be increasing the cost of the card when it's trying to pull in choice riders who may not keep their cards handy, or just may be turned off the first time and never come back.

That doesn't sound too bad, considering just how few Breezecards you're supposed to go through. I don't think choice riders are going to be turned off by a one time (hopefully) $2 difference, and if they are, well then they probably weren't really going to choose MARTA to begin with.

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Offer the option for tickets on my phone via NFC and I'm down! Maybe this is to help pay for that.

I like this idea! Any NFC emitter (phone or other card maybe?) should work just fine... i'm not too sure how the Breeze systems works with its accounts and storing things on the cards vs. their system.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

That doesn't sound too bad, considering just how few Breezecards you're supposed to go through. I don't think choice riders are going to be turned off by a one time (hopefully) $2 difference, and if they are, well then they probably weren't really going to choose MARTA to begin with.



I like this idea! Any NFC emitter (phone or other card maybe?) should work just fine... i'm not too sure how the Breeze systems works with its accounts and storing things on the cards vs. their system.

But it definitely turns off irregular riders. We don't ride it downtown anymore since they raised the rates last time. Its cheaper to park.

[magnetar]

If they're selling Breeze tickets for a dollar, then there's no fare increase. Irregular riders will just get a paper ticket if they don't plan to keep and reuse a Breeze card. No need to overcomplicate things.

But if you can pay for the gas to get downtown, and park, for less than $2.50 per person then go right ahead; there's no shortage of depressing surface parking lots to accommodate you.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

I like this idea! Any NFC emitter (phone or other card maybe?) should work just fine... i'm not too sure how the Breeze systems works with its accounts and storing things on the cards vs. their system.

DC's Metro system is doing a trial of exactly this: http://paymentpilot.wmata.com/about/

Presumably they're just adding an NFC reader to the turnstiles and buses.

Edit: Yeah, this article goes into more detail. They're adding an NFC gate in 10 stations to try it, and if it works, they'll update everything, including SmarTrip (Breeze) cards, to use NFC. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...a37_story.html

[ElleKaye]

Originally Posted by magnetar

If they're selling Breeze tickets for a dollar, then there's no fare increase. Irregular riders will just get a paper ticket if they don't plan to keep and reuse a Breeze card. No need to overcomplicate things.

But if you can pay for the gas to get downtown, and park, for less than $2.50 per person then go right ahead; there's no shortage of depressing surface parking lots to accommodate you.

Irregular riders (i.e. me) pretty much never really have a good idea what's going on anyway. Years ago it seems like I bought tokens at Lindbergh to ride. More recently, it appeared I needed a Breeze Card to get on the train so I bought one. I think irregulars just don't know the options, but we want to get whatever is needed as quickly as possible so taking the time to read all the options sometimes goes out the window.

Recently, I have taken the time to load my card online since I find that less stressful. I even took the extra step of registering the number so if it is lost or stolen, then I can still keep whatever amount I loaded.

I do not think $2 per card is a deterrent. I was kind of surprised it was only $1 when I got one.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by bu2

But it definitely turns off irregular riders. We don't ride it downtown anymore since they raised the rates last time. Its cheaper to park.

I have about 5 cards, you can borrow one of mine cheapskate.

[afdinatl]

My job pays up to $100 per month for public transportation so as long as it isn't over $100 I don't care

[ATLondoner]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

My job pays up to $100 per month for public transportation so as long as it isn't over $100 I don't care

Nice perk