TransLink to Clipper Card Transition Updates

It looks like the transition from TransLink to Clipper is on-track. Here's a few things I've noticed.

As seen in the photo above, Muni metro gates have the new blue color clipper branding. At this point, Muni has not installed the new fare gates that will replace the over two decade old ones that are still being used today.

On Muni vehicles, such as the metro, the vehicle card readers have been re-branded. The new logo has a sticker covering the old "T" logo used by TransLink, and the word Clipper has been placed over the TransLink name. The contractor doing the work has also removed the old yellow stickers telling people how to use the card and the old sticker residue.

BART is transitioning to Clipper, but you may still notice the fare gates still have the TransLink branding. I have noticed the quicker response of the TL cards on the gates on my most recent trip last night on BART to and from the Giants game.

If you use Commuter Check paper vouchers, you can claim them at Walgreens locations who agreed to do TransLink/Clipper transactions. The add value terminals they use have been upgraded so they don't have to feed the card into the slot, they place it on a sensor pad about the size of a brick. In many cases, you can do the TL/Clipper add value transaction at their photo center.

While the re-branding is supposed to be finished by June 16th, the official day Clipper replaces TransLink, not everything has been completed. I've noticed some of the downtown SF automated add value machines have not been upgraded with the new logo and the slot feeding reader being upgraded for non-gold chipped cards. Lastly, there's no official word on the opening of their in-person customer service center at Embarcadero Muni/BART, but funding has been designated by the MTC to open such a center.

(Photo of Clipper card from SFMTA)

Update: Akit's Efforts Pays Off with Upgraded SF Giants Dynamic Pricing List

If you recall a week ago, I mentioned on my blog that the SF Giants sells tickets on a dynamic pricing structure that sets ticket prices depending on many variables including giveaways, who is pitching, and how the team is doing. My primary argument is the pricing list they provided on their official website did not reflect actual ticket costs listed on their official ticket broker, Tickets.com.

I have been monitoring the dynamic pricing page ever since I posted my blog entry and there have been some changes to their website. The new dynamic pricing page is now current (prices on list reflect actual prices sold by Tickets.com), but also enhanced to remove the long list (every game posted) and now can be shown in smaller batches by month and by team opponent. Also, by moving your mouse cursor over the game, it will change color and make it easier to identify what section you may be interested in sitting in.

This is a good improvement, SF Giants management. Akit's Complaint Department is proud to help make policy changes.

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Just a run down memory lane... remember when the SF Giants management banned fans to walk on the bleacher/arcade section's promenade unless if the ticket holder was seated in the bleachers or arcade areas? After my blog entry, they removed their incredibly stupid policy; now, I can get my "Crazy Crab" sandwich! Yum!

iPod Touch 3.1 at a Cheaper Price? How 3.0 Users got Ripped-Off

If you own an iPod touch (the non-cell phone brother of the iPhone), you know that Apple has been telling you to upgrade your software to the 3.0 and 3.1 versions in order to promote new features, such as copy and paste.

But what I don't understand is, why did I pay $9.99 for the 3.0 version upgrade and get the 3.1 upgrade version free...

while other people who are still using 2.0 or bought a new iPod Touch with 3.0 pre-installed are now being told that they can get the 3.1 version for $4.95?

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That doesn't seem fair. While I appreciate Apple for giving me a free 3.1 upgrade for buying 3.0, I feel I've been financially ripped-off for this iPod software upgrade/update. 3.0 was on the market for a mere three months until 3.1 was released at a lower price.

I hope Apple decides to give an appropriate refund to people who paid the higher price, or give us future software upgrades at no cost to us.