[Nfbc-info] The Compass Cards of San Diego's Public Transportation

[Jim Barbour via Nfbc-info]

Hey Dennis and Everyone,

In the bay area, we have what's called the clipper card, which provides all transit riders prepaid access to Bart, Caltrain, Muni, and various bus systems.

One thing that's really nice about the unsubsidized clipper cards is that you can just order them online, or pick one up at a Walgreens store and load cash onto it.

I don't know if photographs are required for subsidized clipper cards.  I do know that the process for getting one is more onerous since you must prove your disability in person.

If everyone needed to have a photo taken to be placed on their clipper cards, this would dramatically slow adoption since each rider would need to go somewhere where they can get a photo taken.

I've also used other cards, such as the oyster card in London, which don't require photos for much the same reasons.

Theft is no more likely for a transit card than for a credit card, which also mostly don't have photos.

Sorry to shoot this down, but I'm not a fan.

Take Care,

Jim

On Sat, May 24, 2014 at 11:27:15AM -0700, Dennis Russak via Nfbc-info wrote:
> Good morning NFBC., 
> 
>   I'd like to comment on the problems being discussed by our good friends down in the San Diego area regarding photographs on their subsidized transit cards. 
> 
>   I understand, Lisa, your feelings on this matter. I tend to agree with Jim Barber, though, not only for the reasons he has stated, but for another reason none of you may have thought of, and that is the problem of outright theft. If someone lifts your card from you, they cannot use it because your picture is on the card, entitling only you to use it. Further, in order to prevent theft _all such cards (both full-fare and subsidized) should have one's photograph on it, which should prevent the singling out of any class of people altogether. I'm the representative from our River City chapter on the Mobility Advisory Council for Regional Transit which serves Sacramento County. I'd like to hear what everyone thinks. 
> 
>   Good luck in solving the problems down there, and we're behind you guys all the way. 
>      Dennis Russak 
> 
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