The other day on a regional, I noticed a conductor had a smartphone looking device that emitted a red laser to scan tickets. Is this new in preparation for eticketing or has this always existed?
The other day on a regional, I noticed a conductor had a smartphone looking device that emitted a red laser to scan tickets. Is this new in preparation for eticketing or has this always existed?
So far, just two routes have e-ticketing. Boston to Portland, Maine and Chicago to New Orleans (but just on the City of N.O).
A few conductors on the Acela have them, and I was told they will be deployed as each conductor is trained. Right now it is a bit silly. Some conductors are still punching all the stubs and leaving them as seat checks and then scanning the tickets all at once, while others are actually scanning by the seat.
No mention of e-ticketing on the Acela, although obviously this is the first step. I have yet to run into a conductor who is embracing thus.
This is a huge change for conductors that have been punching and lifting tickets for 20-30 years. Most of them will not want to adapt, but as it rolls out I think they'll come to appreciate the capability the system brings. Younger conductors are probably all over the technology. I look forward to seeing it myself.
This is a huge change for conductors that have been punching and lifting tickets for 20-30 years. Most of them will not want to adapt, but as it rolls out I think they'll come to appreciate the capability the system brings. Younger conductors are probably all over the technology. I look forward to seeing it myself.
There's also a timing issue -- at some intermediate stops (such as Ann Arbor) as many as 60-80 people may board at once and depending on which direction you're going it's only 20 to 30 minutes to the next stop.
Programs: AA EXP (LTG), Hilton Silver (former Dia), Marriott Plat (LTG, former PP), SPG Gold (soon to be LTP)
Posts: 3,628
Received this today:
Quote:
Capitol Corridor now offers eTicketing for one-way and round-trip tickets. This pilot program is being rolled out on Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin trains, and we expect select Thruway Motorcoach buses to join this pilot over the summer. eTickets offer our passengers the convenience of printing their tickets at home, at the office, or on the go, making it easier to get on board and get to where you want to go. If you still have a paper ticket, hang onto it as it may still carry value.
In reading the FAQ it sounds like my trick of buying a paper ticket (with AAA discount) and holding it for up to a year for last minute travel will have to go by the wayside. Anyone using eTickets now know if there is any way around this?
In reading the FAQ it sounds like my trick of buying a paper ticket (with AAA discount) and holding it for up to a year for last minute travel will have to go by the wayside. Anyone using eTickets now know if there is any way around this?
Thanks.
Hmmm. I currently buy 4 segment multi-city round trips (PHL/PAO/PHL/PAO) for my commute and every Friday afternoon is 'Peak'. The FAQ is very confusing on how this will work with unreserved trains and how many reservations I will need to make. Will each 'barcode' eTicket be able to be scanned exactly 4 times (twice PAO bound and twice PHL bound)? What if I get out-of-order, say having to skip a PHL-bound trip. Will I be denied taking the 3rd segment before the 2nd? If a 4-segment reservation has a 'peak' travel as the 4th segment, will the scanner be smart enough to use that one instead of one of the previous three?
It sounds like I will have to either make a gazillion one way or round-trip reservations, or bite the bullet and switch to 10-trip/monthly after qualifying for Select Plus for the year and forfeit all the nice extra points and AAA discount.
Update: According to the conductor (who had a scanner) this morning on Keystone 605, the Keystone line will soon be part of the pilot program as well. He said that the rollout timeframe for the trial is still under discussion, but should be out (latest) by mid-May.
Last edited by phillystudent; Apr 17, 12 at 6:42 am..
Reason: Grammar
Anyone using eTickets now know if there is any way around this?
