GMD+D Port Authority Preparation

Boston Charlie Card:How To

shannonleighb — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:33:03 +0000

Stacey: Second Call with MN

shannonleighb — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:53:24 +0000

Hey guys –

Briefly spoke again to the woman who helped roll out the Go-To Card in the Minneapolis/St. Paul areas. The information and advice she gave pretty much falls in line with what we’ve heard from every other transit agency. Here are some comments that stood out, or are worth repeating:

All guerilla marketing was done at points-of-purchase locations and transit stops

Working one-on-one and engaging with the riders was more successful than any of their other marketing techniques
There wasn’t a teaser campaign or a hard sell…these cards sold themselves
The web was a HUGE element
If she could do it all again, she would have focused more on explaining to users exactly how they need to “tag” the card. I guess the word “flash” was used in a lot of their materials and riders weren’t aware that they actually had to hold the card up to the machine for a fraction of a second for the fare to register.
The mediums they used included POP displays, print, transit, and floor clings. They also created an employee incentive program for the various agencies as a friendly competition to see who could sell the most cards

Bill and B on the Bus!

shannonleighb — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:01:10 +0000

Riding the Rails in Pittsburgh, Chicago and Boston!

Dance Party in the Subway Video

shannonleighb — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:05:58 +0000

Scheidt Bachman – Smart Card System Overview

shannonleighb — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:05:22 +0000

Example Video: How to Use my Smart Card

shannonleighb — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:04:59 +0000

Hey it’s a laundry smart card, but still a smart card “How To”

Riding the Rails YouTube Video

shannonleighb — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:04:37 +0000

Port Authority New Transit Proposal Worries Many

shannonleighb — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:03:41 +0000

Port Authority of Allegheny County buses will make more trips each day under a plan to boost the efficiency of the county’s public transit system, potentially easing crowded lines.

But other lines will be consolidated or cut altogether, potentially causing headaches for some riders who must walk farther to bus stops or find alternate methods of getting to work, stores and family members.

The Port Authority’s plan will cut under-used and inefficient routes to streamline the system while increasing fares to raise $4 million needed for next year’s operating budget. The plan would merge or relocate 69 bus routes and eliminate some of the authority’s 16,000 stops; consolidate routes that buses take through Downtown to simplify service; and create transit centers for transfers.

Smart Card Alliance: Kathy

shannonleighb — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:00:14 +0000

Transitioning vs. Converting is What it’s about
Peer Pressure – get it/you’re holding the line up
Boston is #1
Transition all vehicles at one time (bus/park/train)
Look to partner with Banks, or other corporations. It’s a natural fit.
Try to have money incentives, i.e. $0.25 cheaper when using card vs. cash
Barriers pop up if it’s not easy to add value
Get in the trenches during education and introduction

Freedom Card – Philly, Jersey: Karen

shannonleighb — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:00:12 +0000

2007 Pilot Program as Teaser
Just rail, not bus
Touch card, not swipe
Demonstrations at end of day with opportunity to register and get card
CONVENIENCE, no longer need multiple fares
Web site was huge

Advice

People think they know what they’re doing, but they don’t. And they don’t read. Get in front of them at stations with events and guerilla
Use incentives, that’s what Philly did. Have contests
Cards should be FREE at first
Have excellent, simple FAQs readily available
No TV, No Radio (same as DC)
Have press events whenever can
Routine goers will get it, the occasional rider won’t and will cause problems