The Bay Area’s TransLink® transit-fare smart card began the first stage of a regionwide expansion in late November with the activation of TransLink equipment on all AC Transit and Dumbarton Express buses as well as on all Golden Gate Transit buses and in Golden Gate Ferry terminals.
Riders can pick up a card or add value at 75 retail outlets.
Published: December, 2006
AC Transit along with Golden Gate Transit and Golden Gate Ferry have begun recruiting several hundred riders to troubleshoot the new high-tech fare payment system. This pre-launch initiative will help ensure trouble-free operation when AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit and Golden Gate Ferry begin full-scale promotion of the TransLink system in 2007.
AC Transit is proud to help initiate this regional, multiagency transit experience, said Rick Fernandez, the agency’s general manager. It’s an opportunity to do real-time evaluations of some highly technical TransLink equipment, while giving operators and riders a chance to get comfortable with the system.
We’re pleased to join AC Transit in leading the way for the Bay Area, said Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District General Manager Celia Kupersmith. The pre-launch is a strategic step to increase the number of riders who are using TransLink in live situations over the next few weeks so we can move faster toward full rollout to all our customers.
TransLink lets riders pay fares with a single, reloadable smart card, eliminating the need for exact change, paper passes, tickets or ride books. Passengers simply tag their cards by touching them to the TransLink logo on the card reader as they board a bus or enter a transit station. The TransLink card automatically deducts the correct fare and applies any discounts — including transfers — for each trip.
Riders can order a TransLink card online at www.translink.org or by phone at 1-877-878-8883 (or TDD/TTY at 711 or 1-800-735-2929). TransLink cards also are available at the AC and Golden Gate ticket offices, at any of 75 participating retail locations (see www.translink.org for a list) or through various employee transit benefit programs.
An Autoload feature allows TransLink customers to add electronic cash (e-cash) or transit passes to their cards automatically from a bank account or credit card. TransLink cards normally cost $5 but will be issued free of charge to customers who sign up for Autoload when they request a card. Customers also can add value to their cards at the transit agency ticket offices, online at the TransLink site, by phone or at any of the participating retail locations. They also have the option of using one of the self-service Add-Value machines located in major transit hubs.
TransLink offers card replacement and balance restoration for customers who register their cards. Registration is free and can be completed easily online, over the phone or by mail.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is spearheading the TransLink initiative in conjunction with the Bay Area’s transit agencies. The TransLink system will expand in phases over the next few years to include all other Bay Area transit agencies. BART, Muni and Caltrain are scheduled to activate TransLink throughout their route and stations network in 2007, with SamTrans and the Santa Clara VTA coming aboard in 2008, and 19 other Bay Area transit systems joining in 2009-10.
With the TransLink smart card, you can tag and go.
Golden Gate Transit is one of two transit systems introducing TransLink, which eventually will be available regionwide.
