TVM problems, particularly TRAX and MAX.

This one is about a problem that is germane to the transit industry and practically par for the course for all agencies that use TVMs for fare collection.

TRAX: There has been an apparently persistent problem at the Sandy Expo Station of the TVMs at both ends of the platform not taking fares inserted by riders, in particular we know for sure that at times the machines will not take any dollar bills. August 28th and 29th were two instances, and in talking about the next item we found that there was an additional report of trouble at the same platform since.

MAX: At 56th West on 35th South, just east of the intersection is a MAX station with a TVM. Got on one on 11 September and observed that he had to have everyone pay their fare upon boarding. What may have happened, is that the TVM had already been confirmed to malfunction, and so the driver needed to take fares. 15 people including myself got on. This problem obviously resulted in lost time for everyone taking the trip further down on the 35M Eastbound.

Again, these appear to be general but not too frequent problems, any agency will have these, due to the moving parts within the TVM to take the change or bills inserted and to print your ticket, so these things are bound to happen. Just be ready to pay fare on MAX, and to go to the other end of the platform on TRAX, although in the case of 94th South (Sandy Expo) the rider I saw who had the problem ended up not being able to pay fare until he caught the 811 at Sandy Civic Center.