The Clever Device System, how tough is it to program routes?

[Perry]

I wish we had those. At one point they were thinking of shutting the validators off completely but then there would be no way to know how much someone is putting in there and the reader would only show it being a dollar bill even if someone put in a 10.

[79MetroExtraMD]

To tell you the truth, our Odysseys are...actually...not too bad anymore.  The bill validators have an orange sticker saying "THIS UNIT HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY GFI"...seems like our early problems have been solved.

Is there still a problem of wrinkled bills and folds that makes the farebox reject them or not take them? That was a doozy when they first were installed.

[Tristan]

Well it's still more picky than the CentsABills but we're still in better shape I think; our CentsABills would malfunction after heating up on sunny "C" lot during summertime splits ("C" is our lot facing the railroad tracks, out in the hot, direct sunlight) which caused lots of problems for evening runs.  Maybe people here adjusted and started using better bills.

I think if the bill is flat, it will get accepted.  Wrinkles pose as much a problem as they would with other vending machines.

Then again, I don't use our fareboxes too much 

[79MetroExtraMD]

Well it's still more picky than the CentsABills but we're still in better shape I think; our CentsABills would malfunction after heating up on sunny "C" lot during summertime splits ("C" is our lot facing the railroad tracks, out in the hot, direct sunlight) which caused lots of problems for evening runs.  Maybe people here adjusted and started using better bills.

I think if the bill is flat, it will get accepted.  Wrinkles pose as much a problem as they would with other vending machines.

Then again, I don't use our fareboxes too much 

SmarTrip all the way for me. I do use the box just to add money or to check my balance and xfer time.

[smithavechuck]

I spend a good deal of my day reporting technical problems with Clever Device Units, Odessey Fareboxes, Destination Signs and on-board cameras.  As Perry stated, the buses are getting too technical.  I think our technicians are ready to hang me.   

Quite frankly, I'm surprised we haven't followed DASH's lead in having the GED fix applied to our fareboxes. 

Chuck

[79MetroExtraMD]

I spend a good deal of my day reporting technical problems with Clever Device Units, Odessey Fareboxes, Destination Signs and on-board cameras.  As Perry stated, the buses are getting too technical.  I think our technicians are ready to hang me.   

Quite frankly, I'm surprised we haven't followed DASH's lead in having the GED fix applied to our fareboxes. 

Chuck

At least we don't tie in the integration part to it. It's like a Windows computer with different pieces of hardware and drivers. You can't seem to get everything to work together. Clever Devices seems to have a mind of its own. Works sometimes, broken other times. The one thing I can't seem to understand is how the sign flashes to NOT IN SERVICE when entering the route/dest and then goes to the right reading. Then theres the TTT thing (which I still have gotten no answer as to why that designation).
The GFI boxes are a curse both operator and passenger alike. For operators, trying to record a bunch of data in a single run dealing with flash passes, transfers, cash, and Smartrip transactions at the same time without having it spaz out which I've seen on occassion doing a couple of runs with a few operators I know. From a passenger standpoint, too much technical bs with having to have crisp bills and putting coins in one at a time. Smartrip folks have seen their share of problems, me included. Some of the targets seem to misread cards even if placed directly on the target and sometimes wont read the card at all. Gone thru 6 cards in the past 4 years due to techincal problems.

I just "love" Luminator signs. Just as Balios signs were not the best decision for MTA to get, Luminator Horizons werent as well. I miss the old MAX3000 signs that provided some kind of brightness and clarity. I see alot of broken signs, panels spazzing out, and just plain craziness. Except for 2801 with the TITAN sign, the Horizons suck. Why couldn't WMATA had gone with the Aesys signs like they put on 4212 and 2164. Best signs I've ever seen. If you ride the 32 or the C4, you'd wonder who thought trying to fit every single letter in a long destination on one display was a good idea. Bring your glasses if you want to see the sign from a block away.

What's the GED fix?

[smithavechuck]

Signs:

Every model has a different type of sign.  Many of the NABI front signs are impossible to read during daylight hours and are so bright during hours of darkness, one must shield their eyes. 

From my perspective, the signs change to NIS at the terminal because of a signal transmitted by a transponder at that location.  Howeverm starting Sunday, the signs should remain stable at Milford Mill Station as all buses will remain assigned to Route 54. 
I might be all wet on this one, so correct me if I'm incorrect. 


The Neoplans appear to have the best and brighest signs that are readable daylight or nighttime.  The signs in the New Flyers are hit & miss.  They are bright one day and so dim the next, they can't even be read at night.

Fareboxes:

I'm in agreement with you on this one - to a point.  As Tristan stated, the boxes at DASH were corrected by the manufacturer and apparently are basically okay now.  So why do other properties have so much difficulties when DASH is doing fine?

BTW, I want to thank everyone for making DC Transit Zone an obvious success.  Tristan & Chris G worked very hard to make it a go for all of us.

Chuck

[79MetroExtraMD]

Signs:

Every model has a different type of sign.  Many of the NABI front signs are impossible to read during daylight hours and are so bright during hours of darkness, one must shield their eyes. 

From my perspective, the signs change to NIS at the terminal because of a signal transmitted by a transponder at that location.  Howeverm starting Sunday, the signs should remain stable at Milford Mill Station as all buses will remain assigned to Route 54. 
I might be all wet on this one, so correct me if I'm incorrect. 

What I meant about the change to NIS was that when you set the system to do a return run or even starting it, it flashes between NIS before displaying the correct sign. Also, as for MTAs ones, when are they gonna organize many of the duplicate runs in the system that have different origins (including the school trippers). I find having the origin-
>dest in the lists helpful especially for some of the runs they do. I've seen on the screens where you got a number beside the destination, but it could either be set as an express run or even a school tripper; all the operator sees is that destination. I'd suggest putting in that number into the paddles to make things easier.

Also, is there any chance that the Balios crushed buses will get some sort of thing done to improve upon the visibility. Those cluster LEDs aren't really the best and the daytime washout has been a problem (I remember when they first scrolled. Those were the days)

[smithavechuck]

That quick NIS exposure will probably remain as it is only displayed for a moment.  Issue number 2 will probably not change either.  Buses can't display the name of any school as that practice is unlawful as I understand it as it precludes adults from riding the buses.  (Perry, you're good at this issue).

As far as the Balos signs, I doubt iif you will see much in the way of change.  Starting next year, the agency will begin receiving 80-100 new buses per year.  Per the Administrator, the MTA will be 100% Hybrid in 6-7 years.  The MTA isn't going to spend a lot of money on buses that will be deleted from the fleet in 2-3 years.

Part of my job is to make certain that the CD systems work in all of the buses that I ride, check or observe.  I try to work with the CD tech and we seem to be getting the job done.  But, it's not easy with virtually every bus in the system now equipped (with the exceptions of the 9200s, 9000s & 8900s).

Chuck

Chuck

[79MetroExtraMD]

That quick NIS exposure will probably remain as it is only displayed for a moment.  Issue number 2 will probably not change either.  Buses can't display the name of any school as that practice is unlawful as I understand it as it precludes adults from riding the buses.  (Perry, you're good at this issue).

As far as the Balos signs, I doubt iif you will see much in the way of change.  Starting next year, the agency will begin receiving 80-100 new buses per year.  Per the Administrator, the MTA will be 100% Hybrid in 6-7 years.  The MTA isn't going to spend a lot of money on buses that will be deleted from the fleet in 2-3 years.

Part of my job is to make certain that the CD systems work in all of the buses that I ride, check or observe.  I try to work with the CD tech and we seem to be getting the job done.  But, it's not easy with virtually every bus in the system now equipped (with the exceptions of the 9200s, 9000s & 8900s).

Chuck

Chuck

I know MTA is getting all hybrids now, Chuck. I live there. As for the CDS, I was referring to the afternoon runs where you got the trippers with the school origins. I know about the rule about not showing the school in the sign. Speaking of the trippers, wouldn't it be kinda good to have a separate schedule consisting of all the school trippers just as a point of reference than just the description?

[smithavechuck]

They are listed separately in the public timetables under "Supplemental Service."


Chuck