"Octopus Card" for Skytrain - Coming 2010

[dL]

Look for new security measures from Translink in the future.
Vancouver/CKNW(AM980)

6/11/2008

Coming soon Translink is going to need your name and number to ride transit and Skytrain.

Transport minister Kevin Falcon says a smart card system along with a gating system will begin to be implemented by 2010.

The smart card will work like a debit card - you prepay and load the card and swipe it before you get on the train and swipe it when you get off.

To get a card they will have to have your personal information.

Now Falcon says experience elsewhere in cities like London have resulted in a revenue increase of 20 per-cent and the ability to identify troublemakers and terrorists within hours of a crime.

Source: http://cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1011823

dL

[tonyzoomzoom]

Took the morons 25 years to figure out that a gated system is needed 

debit / octopus card is a huge plus.  Hope it takes off in terms of market acceptance like it is in HK

[abnormal3]

What about tourists(cruiseship etc...) and out of town visitors .Sounds like they'll be ;osing any revenue from these folks.

[tonyzoomzoom]

I'm thinking that these will be more like the cash cards that you can buy at Starbucks, etc.  But you can use with different vendors.

[dL]

Let's hope they'll expand to buses and to fast food, 711 and everywhere like in HK

dL

[melonvitara]

FINALLY
took them long enuf lol

[M Speed]

The problem is HK does not require  personal info (unless you want to collect pts or auto fillup)

and I think this swap card is for frequent users, there will still be option to purchase a one time pass.

[StevieSpeed3]

Ya I dont see how the card would collect all the info if you simply buy it from the store

Ive never been to HK so I have no clue how such systems work, but when it goes live Im sure it will only be a nuance.

It most likely wont deter crime to the people that are willing to commit such acts, and it will serve as an annoyance to the people that the program is not directed toward (law abiding citizens)

Just my .02

[dL]

I think they should just upgrade our Citizenship Card into Smart Card and embed this debit feature

dL

[melonvitara]

Ya I dont see how the card would collect all the info if you simply buy it from the store

Ive never been to HK so I have no clue how such systems work, but when it goes live Im sure it will only be a nuance.

It most likely wont deter crime to the people that are willing to commit such acts, and it will serve as an annoyance to the people that the program is not directed toward (law abiding citizens)

Just my .02

actually in HK it's VERY convenient with the octopus card
but 1 reason is the card can be used other than the transit system too
you can use it at convenient store, fast food restaurant, etc etc
so technically you dont need cash to go out

[silvia_s14a]

Took the morons 25 years to figure out that a gated system is needed 

Yeah, it's retarded to the point where the last few times I boarded a skytrain I didn't even pay.

[melonvitara]

^i did that back in HS
the only time i would take the skytrain is to go to metrotown
i am like 2 stations away from it

[StevieSpeed3]

The only deterrent for people not paying is the ridiculous fine if your caught

[melonvitara]

for the past 6 months, i skytrain-ed to school and only got asked for the pass maybe once or twice
but it really depends on the time of day

[disqx]

Citizenship card? Are you nuts?

I think they should just upgrade our Citizenship Card into Smart Card and embed this debit feature

dL

"Don't tase me bro!"

The only deterrent for people not paying is the ridiculous fine if your caught

[dL]

That's what they did in HK.  The Smart ID card is basically used for going thru the HK customs quickly by inserting the card then checking your fingerprint to verify, and also I think it's used as a library card as well.

dL

[derrick]

I think they should just upgrade our Citizenship Card into Smart Card and embed this debit feature

dL

So you can carry your Citizenship Card around and lose it? Yeah, great idea...

/sarcasm

[StevieSpeed3]

LOL

[melonvitara]

actually in HK you are supposed to carry your ID card with you everywhere
cops on the street CAN ask for your ID randomly

[dL]

actually in HK you are supposed to carry your ID card with you everywhere
cops on the street CAN ask for your ID randomly

My point exactly, but I don't think it's required here.  I actually don't know...

dL