Clipper on SamTrans Delayed - MTC Didn't Care to Notify Public

Amid much hype on my blog and Clipper's twitter account, Clipper cards was supposed to be accepted on SamTrans starting December 15th (Wednesday), however the debut will be delayed.

Maybe I should rephrase that... there was not much word spread around about the delay. SamTrans and Clipper's website did not mention anything about a planned date for debut, nor announce a delay. Even the MTC's public relations or media office didn't publish a press release or even link a news article about the delay.

You'll hear it now because I like banging on pots and pans to get attention:
The new debut date for Clipper on SamTrans will be Wednesday, December 22nd.

The only news coverage of the delay came from the San Mateo County Times; the article mentions there was some "software issues" discovered on Monday, December 13th that caused the debut to be delayed a week. Most of the rest of the article sounded like a promotional advertisement for Clipper.

Akit's Opinion:
I'm a little frustrated by all of this. Clipper makes one real big announcement of the launch of the blue card on SamTrans, but nobody tells the public there's been a delay? One newspaper, just one newspaper tells the public in one little sentence about the delay.

It's even worse when the Metropolitan Transportation Commission kept their mouth shut about the delay by not notifying the public. Once Clipper opened their mouth (okay, tweeted it), MTC is responsible for notifying the general public of a delay. With my increasing readership of my blog telling them of the December 15th debut, I wonder how many people tried to use their Clipper card on SamTrans that day and was told it was not ready?

I'm also not happy SamTrans and Clipper also kept their mouth shut. Not even one little blurb on their websites saying the launch would be held off for a week.

And what's up with this software problem? SamTrans and Clipper had months to tinker with the software and make sure all the equipment is ready for use for the public.

FOR SHAME!

Akit's Coverage of the Clipper Card Debut

Today is the debut of the Clipper card, and their launch event (press conference) was at Hyde Street Pier at 11AM. Akit's Complaint Department was invited to attend this event in the presence of some big names in the Bay Area transit society. It was interesting to meet many representatives, mostly from the MTC and Swirl Marketing, and many just walked-up to me and said, "you must be Akit."

Let's talk about the new card!

The Clipper card does not include the classic gold chip that we TransLink users are used to. Anyway, the gold chip is not needed as the agency has converted the system to be completely contactless. There was a demonstration of the card with a card reader unit and it scans the card efficiently and quickly; in comparison with the TransLink card, you may notice a slight difference in the response of the reader, with the Clipper card being quicker.

The Clipper card also looks and feels different than their predecessors, it has a glossy feel, and can scratch easily, but hey, as long as it works, I'm not that worried.

For this press conference event, guests have been provided a very durable plastic card holder case, and while thick, it really protects the card from damage. It also has a place to attach a lanyard.

How to Get a Card
Starting today, you can get your card free through retailers, clippercard.com, calling Clipper directly: (877) 878-8883, or by visiting a participating transit agency's ticketing office. The fact sheet provided by Clipper says: "Customers are limited to two free cards per person. Customers who want more than two cards should be referred to the Customer Service Center."

The Guest Speakers

(Move cursor over photo for their name and position title)

While all of them gave their speeches, there is some good news from some of the transit agencies:

• BART is in process of having their ticketing machines be able to add value to the Clipper cards, and this will mean there will be tons more places to add funds and passes.
• Samtrans will be "revenue ready" in the summer, but won't be available for the public until the Fall. They are in the process of installing the readers on their brand new fleet of buses.

Here's new information from the Clipper "fact sheet" I was provided, and how it will affect you in the near future:
As I mentioned earlier, Clipper cards are FREE at all retail, ticketing agency offices, their website, and calling customer service.

Within the next few months, Muni's new fare gates will be installed at all metro stations.

1. The fare gates will not accept cash.
2. They will have a temporary magnetic card swipe for paper pass users.
3. The new pre-paid ticketing machines will accept both cash and credit, reload Clipper cards, and will sell Clipper cards.
4. The big shocker: The vending machines will issue paper temporary Clipper cards for those who need it for single trips and round trips for a 25 cent surcharge; but, the paper card can be reloaded as needed for up to 90 days.

Muni will be transitioning their paper passes to Clipper. Here's when it will happen:

• Muni's disabled stickers: Fall 2010
• "A" pass: Fall 2010
• Youth and senior passes: Early 2011
• "M" pass: Spring 2011
  

For you "M" passholders, you can breathe a sigh of relief, for a few more months beyond the planned November date for adult paper passes (as per Muni Diaries).

For now, SF Cable Cars will only accept Clipper cards with the appropriate monthly pass. The fact sheet does not tell when e-cash will be accepted.

Here's more photos from the press conference: