Here in Ottawa, we have the most expensive public transport, and apparently while I've been away they switched to a payment process called "presto". This involves waving a card at a reader (or, if you've had a few, thrusting your pelvis at the reader with the card in your pocket), and the device reads the info from the card and compares the data on the card to some database somewhere at HQ.
I was all for this process, until my card failed. Now the drivers never believe me when I say "i have a pass, but you can't see it because it's on this broken card". There is a replacement process, which involves getting to one of the major bus stations (apparently not by bus), waiting in line, and then asking the lady behind the bulletproof glass to issue a replacement. She tells me that I'll need to find a way around town on my own for two days while the transfer takes place. Apparently it's 24 hours to cancel the card, then 24 hours to transfer the card.
"Can I get a paper pass, then?"
Apparently not. Even though she has a screen in front of her that says I have a pass to ride the bus for the month, she cannot hand me a paper pass for the month.
"Can I get some bus tickets to get me to/from work for 2 days?"
Apparently I can, if I pay for them. Which I can't, because my ass is so broke I can't even afford to pay attention.
She was, however, nice enough to give me a daypass for the remainder of yesterday, which I didn't need.
Now I need to find a way to work tomorrow. Because they can't give me what I paid for.
I was all for this process, until my card failed. Now the drivers never believe me when I say "i have a pass, but you can't see it because it's on this broken card". There is a replacement process, which involves getting to one of the major bus stations (apparently not by bus), waiting in line, and then asking the lady behind the bulletproof glass to issue a replacement. She tells me that I'll need to find a way around town on my own for two days while the transfer takes place. Apparently it's 24 hours to cancel the card, then 24 hours to transfer the card.
"Can I get a paper pass, then?"
Apparently not. Even though she has a screen in front of her that says I have a pass to ride the bus for the month, she cannot hand me a paper pass for the month.
"Can I get some bus tickets to get me to/from work for 2 days?"
Apparently I can, if I pay for them. Which I can't, because my ass is so broke I can't even afford to pay attention.
She was, however, nice enough to give me a daypass for the remainder of yesterday, which I didn't need.
Now I need to find a way to work tomorrow. Because they can't give me what I paid for.