Posted February 19, 201510 yr I apologize in advance for the stupid questions but it's been probably a decade since I've been on the redline and I have a few questions. I plan on taking the rapid downtown for work soon and I don't want to struggle during my commute. 1. Are the fare machines really that bad? I've heard some pretty negative comments on this site. The last time I rode RTA I had a upass and didn't have to deal with the machines. 2. If I purchase fare cards from a source other than the machines where do I activate the cards? I plan on riding from Triskett or W117 to Tower City. Is there a machine at each station to activate? 3. At Tower City do I have to swipe to my fare card to enter and exit the redline? It looks like the redline is a proof of payment/honor system except Tower City. I used to ride the healthline frequently which was strictly proof of payment but it looks like the redline is a little different. Thanks in advance!
February 19, 201510 yr 1. The fare machines are not that bad anymore. The first run of the software had something like 7 steps before you received you card - it has now been cut down to 3 steps. 2. There is a machine at each station. 3. Yes, you have to swipe your card (like a credit card) upon exit/entry. Hold your card so the magnetic strip faces your body. Good luck - enjoy the ride!
February 19, 201510 yr I apologize in advance for the stupid questions but it's been probably a decade since I've been on the redline and I have a few questions. I plan on taking the rapid downtown for work soon and I don't want to struggle during my commute. 1. Are the fare machines really that bad? I've heard some pretty negative comments on this site. The last time I rode RTA I had a upass and didn't have to deal with the machines. 2. If I purchase fare cards from a source other than the machines where do I activate the cards? I plan on riding from Triskett or W117 to Tower City. Is there a machine at each station to activate? 3. At Tower City do I have to swipe to my fare card to enter and exit the redline? It looks like the redline is a proof of payment/honor system except Tower City. I used to ride the healthline frequently which was strictly proof of payment but it looks like the redline is a little different. Thanks in advance! The law of probability: one of the two fare machines at W 117 will be broken.
February 19, 201510 yr jmc8651, some other practical advice: if you plan to ride daily, you should consider purchasing a pass (weekly or monthly). If you plan to ride regularly, but not daily, you should purchase some 5 trip cards. And warning: one thing you should NOT do is try to purchase round trip fare from a machine at your morning station. If you buy two one-ways, I'm pretty sure both will be activated right away, and will be useless for your return trip. You can buy a one day pass, but it costs more than two one ways. This is one of the dumber parts of RTA's fare system, especially for sports fans who want to take the rapid.
February 19, 201510 yr ^ Yes! I just found this out the hard way. I was told by an RTA officer that a 1-Trip fare expires after one hour of purchase. Because I tried to be proactive and buy both fares at the start of my trip. It's really dumb...I'm guessing it's because of 'proof of purchase'? But then why wouldn't a 5-Trip fare expire. The logic fails me.
February 19, 201510 yr I apologize in advance for the stupid questions but it's been probably a decade since I've been on the redline and I have a few questions. I plan on taking the rapid downtown for work soon and I don't want to struggle during my commute. 1. Are the fare machines really that bad? I've heard some pretty negative comments on this site. The last time I rode RTA I had a upass and didn't have to deal with the machines. 2. If I purchase fare cards from a source other than the machines where do I activate the cards? I plan on riding from Triskett or W117 to Tower City. Is there a machine at each station to activate? 3. At Tower City do I have to swipe to my fare card to enter and exit the redline? It looks like the redline is a proof of payment/honor system except Tower City. I used to ride the healthline frequently which was strictly proof of payment but it looks like the redline is a little different. Thanks in advance! I'll answer the questions here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4504.0.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
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