tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714426597280694490.post6534794982251120058..comments2024-02-19T09:05:53.444-08:00Comments on Akit's Complaint Department: Big Fact: Clipper Loses Nearly $700,000 a Year Because of Negative Balance FeatureAkithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905273274257369338noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714426597280694490.post-71152609110720232662011-09-10T13:07:48.522-07:002011-09-10T13:07:48.522-07:00There is something that is not taken into account ...There is something that is not taken into account though. How much additional money are Clipper and transit systems taking in due to malfunctioned card readers?<br /><br />I've been overcharged roughly $10 so far this year due to malfunctioned devices that did not have their clocks set correctly. For example one of the time stamps registered me as boarding 2:33am on a Tuesday morning and another one at 10:22am on a Thursday when I was sitting in a job interview that I drove to. <br /><br />I have called Clipper at least 10 times and this issue unresolved since I have not received a single credit from Muni or Clipper. Every time the answer is that they will transfer the case to Muni.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714426597280694490.post-73360850970134918112011-09-09T11:45:20.486-07:002011-09-09T11:45:20.486-07:00That's why Clipper is so complex and was willi...That's why Clipper is so complex and was willing to bend over backwards to adopt the old rules set in place by transit agencies.<br /><br />Other than BART, the other two agencies is Golden Gate and Caltrain that due to their zone system, they have to let cards go negative. Banning it outright may not be the best solution; but Clipper and the agencies could ask those passengers the minimum amount to board w/a card is higher than the lowest fare.Akithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04905273274257369338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4714426597280694490.post-87428498756950968622011-09-09T09:53:22.597-07:002011-09-09T09:53:22.597-07:00Akit, you state "Clipper cards have a negativ...Akit, you state "Clipper cards have a negative balance policy where passengers can allow their card funds to go into the red, but the card won't be usable until the funds are replenished. <b>This was to benefit passengers taking long distances</b>..." (emphasis mine)<br /><br />Well not really. Though the negative balance feature does benefit people by allowing them to take one last trip, the reason for allowing a negative balance has a different basis. Clipper has to allow or deny boarding at the time of entry. At that point it doesn't know how far you intend to travel. So long as you have enough cash for the absolute shortest journey Clipper must allow you to board. Since most people actually travel longer distances Clipper must accommodate a negative balance when tagging off because it cannot prevent you from leaving most transit systems. The alternative is the BART system "addfare" machines which is an even worse hack.thielgeshttp://www.thielges.comnoreply@blogger.com