[il-talk] CTA RFP from Crain's

[Robert A.Hansen]

i think boarding time has gotten worse.  This fare stuff is complicated enough.  its bad enough problem that now and then my half fare card gets swallowed by the turnstyle. that happened twice already.  also these touch cards can be messed up when you go thru airport security. that happened to me 2 times in 2006 and 200p.  i am about to give up on all this electronic fare stuff.  bring back tokens and paper transfers. they worked for decades.
-----Original Message-----
Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 9:20:08 am
To: "NFB of Illinois Mailing List" <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
From: "Bill Reif" <billreif at ameritech.net>
Subject: Re: [il-talk] CTA RFP from Crain's

  Hello Robert,



RFP is government speak for Request For Proposal.  In this case, the CTA 

is inviting companies to submit bids on a system that will move fare 

collection off the bus, thus decreasing boarding time.  These "proof of 

payment" systems, as we already know with the pass dispensers in 

Chicago, aren't accessible to blind people.  The CTA is proposing this 

for Metra as well, which means you'll have to figure out a way of 

telling the automated ticket or card dispenser how far you intend to 

go.  If your ticket costs more than your cash on hand, you'll need to 

give it a credit card.  That's not something I'm prepared to ask a 

passer bye for help with.  You may still have the option of paying cash 

on the bus; but it will cost you more.  The RFP needs to demand that 

these systems be accessible, with testing and input from the blind 

community.  These systems are the subject of a resolution passed at our 

national convention, and will be the subject of testimony at the 

upcoming A