Yesterday I wanted to try my Charm Card in the DC area again. I rode 11 buses (B30, R12, V7, X2, 22A, 38B, 54, 79, J4, C2, and B30) and the Yellow Line (from Chinatown to Pentagon) . I was only charged for one bus ride, which was the $6.00 on the first B30, and $1.10 on the Yellow Line. All together, I spent $7.10. Now here's what I don't understand: the transfer is supposed to last for only 2 hours, but for 9 hours I was able to make free transfers. And what shocked me even more, I wasn't charged another $6.00 on the B30 return trip. So how exactly, does this transfer on the Smart Trip work? I assumed, once the two hours is up, it expires, and you'll be charged again when you ride another bus.
Quote from: OrionFlyer on September 29, 2010, 01:39:07 PM
Yesterday I wanted to try my Charm Card in the DC area again. I rode 11 buses (B30, R12, V7, X2, 22A, 38B, 54, 79, J4, C2, and B30) and the Yellow Line (from Chinatown to Pentagon) . I was only charged for one bus ride, which was the $6.00 on the first B30, and $1.10 on the Yellow Line. All together, I spent $7.10. Now here's what I don't understand: the transfer is supposed to last for only 2 hours, but for 9 hours I was able to make free transfers. And what shocked me even more, I wasn't charged another $6.00 on the B30 return trip. So how exactly, does this transfer on the Smart Trip work? I assumed, once the two hours is up, it expires, and you'll be charged again when you ride another bus.
The transfer is a rolling transfer. The internal clock resets to 2 hours each time you tap your Smartrip on a bus.
I know that the whole Smartrip firmware needs to be overhauled and upgraded, but why this loophole wasn't closed with a strict 2-hour transfer amazes me. It's money WMATA desperately needs being left on the table.
Definitely a loophole that needs to be fixed, but I'm wondering how many people are actually exploiting the transfers, of even realize they can keep transferring for free beyond the initial 2 hour window.
Quote from: Scrabbleship on September 29, 2010, 01:56:53 PM
Quote from: OrionFlyer on September 29, 2010, 01:39:07 PM
Yesterday I wanted to try my Charm Card in the DC area again. I rode 11 buses (B30, R12, V7, X2, 22A, 38B, 54, 79, J4, C2, and B30) and the Yellow Line (from Chinatown to Pentagon) . I was only charged for one bus ride, which was the $6.00 on the first B30, and $1.10 on the Yellow Line. All together, I spent $7.10. Now here's what I don't understand: the transfer is supposed to last for only 2 hours, but for 9 hours I was able to make free transfers. And what shocked me even more, I wasn't charged another $6.00 on the B30 return trip. So how exactly, does this transfer on the Smart Trip work? I assumed, once the two hours is up, it expires, and you'll be charged again when you ride another bus.
The transfer is a rolling transfer. The internal clock resets to 2 hours each time you tap your Smartrip on a bus.
I know that the whole Smartrip firmware needs to be overhauled and upgraded, but why this loophole wasn't closed with a strict 2-hour transfer amazes me. It's money WMATA desperately needs being left on the table.
Huh. Very interesting. Well, until it gets closed, if it ever gets closed, I'll definitely continue to take advantage of it. The fact that I wasn't charged $6.00 on the return B30 makes me really happy.
I've always noticed this too. Doesn't bother me :P
Wow, I never really took note of this (I'm too busy fighting with the machine to get it to accept my Smartrip card without the screeching beep of embarrassment :( ). It's kind of funny, how the cash strapped agency forces people making transfers to get a Smartrip, and then gives away free rides all day long. Hmm...it's kind of sad, really.
I'll enjoy the benefits, although I never look at the balance to closely to take note (I just add more money when I need it).