Friday, July 11, 2008

BROKEN TICKET MACHINE COMPLAINT&TRIMET RESPONSE

I have to comment that I think TRIMET is humiliating itself over this issue, demanding people "plan ahead" to use the system is ludicrous.

COMPLAINT:
on Sunday me and a friend wanted to go to Ikea (Cascade Station on the red line max). We were already at the 7th AVE MAX Station, this station has two ticket machines, one for each direction. One machine was inoperable, the other one refused bills, and I'm sorry but I did not have two dollars of change on me. We boarded the train and went on anyway, but all the while I wondered if they could ticket us for fare evasion even though it was there poor maintenance that was causing this issue, I guess we could have gone down to another station or rode the MAX to the next one but that seems unfair that we should have to waste another 15 minutes waiting because the system TriMet uses to allow riders purchase tickets fails constantly. On the way back I tried (again) to buy two tickets, the machine on the side of the station I needed (westbound) was not working luckly the one on the other side refused to take bills (again) but decided that it would charge a debit card (which I still was very reluctant to use because I had cash on me so I could buy a ticket).

Anyway it just pisses me off that their ticket machines have issues about half the time I use them and TriMet has no clear or defined policy on what a passenger should do in those situations, I for one would have raised hell if they tried to fine me for being ticketless. I sent a request to TriMet as to what a passenger should do and explained the above example, and made it very clear that I know I can purchase tickets at nearby vendors WHEN they're open.

What do you do when (for whatever reason) you are unable to buy tickets?
RESPONSE:
"Dear Robert,

This letter is in response to your complaint dated 2/12/2008.

TriMet is committed to provide excellent customer service to all of our riders.

We apologize that you are having numerous problems with our ticket machines, although, we have crews in place that service and maintenance the ticket machines on a regular basis.

Yes, all passengers are required to have proof of payment on both buses and trains. The TriMet Code requires that all riders must have valid fares or risk a $94 fine. In your case, the option would be to board the train at that station and deboard at the next station to buy a ticket.

If you are a regular rider, another option could be to purchase a 7-day scratch off pass, which does not need to be validated.

Hopefully, your future travels on TriMet will be more pleasant.

Sincerely,

Office of
Manager
Fare Revenue

OPERATOR A.K. RUCKER TEACHES KIDS VALUES!

FROM ERIK!

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PACKED ON MAX, TENSIONS HIGH

http://www.katu.com/news/24312944.html?video=YHI&t=a

BIKE ATTACK!

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