Caltrain Asks Riders for Input on Ticket Vending Machines

By

January 25, 2013

Caltrain is asking riders for feedback on the features they would like to see on ticket vending machines. Riders are being asked to participate in an online survey to help determine the most desirable features for new machines. The survey is the first step in a process to replace the existing machines, which went into service in 2000. 

The online survey can be found on the home page for Caltrain’s website: www.caltrain.com.

Some of the advanced features under consideration include the ability to load Clipper cards and give change to customers in paper bills instead of coins.

After identifying the desirable features for new machines, the next step will be to develop a funding plan. At the same, Caltrain will investigate mobile ticketing, which would allow riders to purchase tickets on their mobile devices. The new ticket vending machines are expected to be in service sometime in 2015 or 2016.

There are 104 ticket vending machines in 31 Caltrain stations. The machines sell One-way, Day Pass, Zone upgrades for Monthly passes and parking permits. All the machines accept coins, bills, and certain credit cards. Caltrain also is able to program the machines for riders to pre-purchase tickets for special events or set up “quick buy” buttons that make purchasing a ticket easier for new riders. 

In 2003, Caltrain introduced a Proof-of-Payment system. POP, which is also used by other Bay Area transit systems, requires all passengers to buy a ticket before they board the train. Caltrain riders began using Clipper, the Bay Area’s reloadable fare card, in 2010 and the following year, Caltrain eliminated paper Monthly passes and 8-ride tickets.  

For more information about Caltrain schedule and fares, call 1.800.660.4287 (TTY 650.508.6448) or visit www.caltrain.com.  


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About Caltrain:   Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. Caltrain has enjoyed 28 consecutive months of ridership increases, surpassing more than 50,000 average weekday riders, earlier this year. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad will celebrate 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor by 2019, reducing diesel emissions by 90 percent and adding more service to more stations. 

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