Snapper - part 2

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knoydart

904 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 154

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#26275 16-Sep-2008 23:04

New thread as the last one is locked...

Finally got my snpper today, roll out the puns as required - took the bait hook link and sinker ect. Here are 1st impressions, please excuse the rant!
Anyway loaded up ok in the shop on cuba mall,
Managed to get it registered after 6 attempts, one of my co workers did the same thing and she eneded up ringing the help desk - all beciase the web site cant handle your card number!
Ah yes the help desk, they have never rung me back on day tickets , and that is 2 months ago. I think I might be lost in the system... well now they can track me.
Back on topic, Bus ride home paid for with card inside the wallet - like that, Might have to buy a second to do what someone in London has done with an oyster and take it apart here to see if it can be done on the other side of the world.
However the balance (or lack of it) is prob the most annyoing thing. You know how much you have to start with but after a few journeys, you forget exactly your usage. So the website takes 24 hours apprently to update usage and balance. Surely we could have a slightly more upto date balance possible? most of the go wellington route must have at least gprs coverate or maybe the buses can connect to cafe net as they drive through the cdb with thier inbuilt wifi on the ticket machines to update?

right thats day one, sadly at least with 10 trips you could see how many trips you had left, this one takes a bit of guess work (and another card to lose)

cheers

knoydart

TinyTim

1058 posts

Uber Geek
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#165253 18-Sep-2008 08:37

When your remaining balance gets below $12 the reader on the bus shows the balance. I don't think this is enough: e.g. if you live in zone 3 (Ngaio, Karori) you pay $3 each trip. When your balance is below $12 you have just 3 trips left (possibly 4 - they claim you can go into debt as long as you have the minimum fare) so you have to top up today or tomorrow - which is not much notice and might not be very easy considering how far you have to go sometimes to find a snapper-enabled shop. I used to pass about 6 shops that sold 10-trip trickets on my way to and from work; now I have to walk 10 minutes in the wrong direction. I also find it annoying not knowing at a glance how many trips I have left (even if I do know the exact balance).

My views:

I sure hope they're going to turn off the 'don't forget to tag off' message once everyone gets the hang of it. Otherwise it's going to get very annoying.

It would be nice if the readers were tilted back a little to make them easier to read.

Why can't we top-up on the bus like Newlands buses and Chch and Auckland?

The usual opinion that this is obviously a scheme designed to make money for the developer rather than being a public service

The most positive thing I can think of is I can now use the bus to get to the other side of the CBD without carrying $1 coins (who has cash anymore?) or multiple 10-trip tickets for different zones. And it probably is quicker to get on.

brentbart

137 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#165274 18-Sep-2008 09:37

I've given up on Snapper, will just get a Gold Card instead.

I think I got a faulty card, got to the point where the driver would sometimes get off his seat to help as my card was very 'dicey'. Then it just stopped completely, so took it back to Kirks who I had bought it from. The lovely lady was a bit stressed saying that it was the 5th that day and that I would have to contact Snapper, get it sent back to them and they would send a new one after a week or so.

Decided to cut my losses, only had about $3 left on the card so can't be bothered. Will maybe get one again when it seems to work better and is more bedded in.

On an aside, keep the faulty one in my wallet as have had a couple of free trips when the drivers have informed people getting on that its not working so just show your card and they will let you on

Naughty I know ...