OPUS/Magnetic Card Discussion

[kellergraham]

I was wondering, since i thought it would be the one obvious and major advantage of using the opus card, if they are ever planning to allow us to use unlimited fares on any date period. For instance, buy a month pass on the 14th, use it for the first time on, say, the 17th, and have it valid until the 17th the next month.

Responses from stm employees to the question ranged from simply saying that "users need some time to adapt" to utter lack of understanding what i meant. (you wanna use a month pass on your own dates?? crazy!!)

This is how its done in most other major cities. I dont see how it could not be done with the opus. ... Might not even require a software upgrade on their part.

So...

Whats the inside word on this?

Welcome to the boards pedepy.

Don't hold your breath on that one. One of the major aspects of OPUS is that all fare and fare advantages remain the same.

Technologically speaking, it would be fairly easy to incorporate such as pass into the system.

What exactly was your question asked? And more importantly, who did you ask it to?

Alex

[Kat]

Hi Everyone,

As a recent purchaser of the Opus card, I'm excited to try it out next month but had a few concerns.

I'm a student using the Intermediate reduced fare and Tram3 monthly pass. After talking to an employee in the metro booth, I was told I could not recharge my Opus with a Tram card in the new machines.

Does this mean I always have to buy my passes around my area either in supermarkets or pharmacies?

I used to ask for my parent to get my passes when they drove out shopping, although with the Opus card, seems like I might have to tag along to get it refilled since I'll always need it..

Another issue is about the replacement procedure. How does that work? I did not see any option to register your card or personal information online, so how can one cancel the remaining balance or ask for a new one?

Thanks a lot!

[mtltransitguy]

Hi Everyone,

As a recent purchaser of the Opus card, I'm excited to try it out next month but had a few concerns.

I'm a student using the Intermediate reduced fare and Tram3 monthly pass. After talking to an employee in the metro booth, I was told I could not recharge my Opus with a Tram card in the new machines.

Does this mean I always have to buy my passes around my area either in supermarkets or pharmacies?

I used to ask for my parent to get my passes when they drove out shopping, although with the Opus card, seems like I might have to tag along to get it refilled since I'll always need it..

Another issue is about the replacement procedure. How does that work? I did not see any option to register your card or personal information online, so how can one cancel the remaining balance or ask for a new one?

Thanks a lot!

Welcome to the board.

It may be true that you cannot yet recharge your OPUS in the machines, at least not on the island of Montreal using STM machines. Alex can better confirm this.

You will need the card in order to load it, so if you can find a time to buy it, or have someone but it for you when you dont need the card, that is the only option.

When you went to the photo session for the card, you should have had to fill out a form, and at the bottom there is a section with weird questions that you pick one from and that becomes your security question.

The card is automatically registered to you for reduced and intermediate fares, when you loose it you just need to contact someone who deals with OPUS. I can understand how you are confused by this, it isn't quite clear.

[stm_5307N]

I bought, not by choice, my first set of 6 scam cards and got to use this system for the first time on both the bus and metro. It worked fine for me without problems.

[kellergraham]

Hi Everyone,

As a recent purchaser of the Opus card, I'm excited to try it out next month but had a few concerns.

I'm a student using the Intermediate reduced fare and Tram3 monthly pass. After talking to an employee in the metro booth, I was told I could not recharge my Opus with a Tram card in the new machines.

Does this mean I always have to buy my passes around my area either in supermarkets or pharmacies?

I used to ask for my parent to get my passes when they drove out shopping, although with the Opus card, seems like I might have to tag along to get it refilled since I'll always need it..

Another issue is about the replacement procedure. How does that work? I did not see any option to register your card or personal information online, so how can one cancel the remaining balance or ask for a new one?

Thanks a lot!

Welcome to the boards Kat!

For now, you can only load your OPUS card with a TRAM pass at select Billeterie Metropolitains. (From memory: Montmorency, Cartier, TCV, Longueuil, maybe more). A friend of mine just loaded her TRAM2 at TCV this morning; second month doing so. For the time being, you can only get one by talking to the people there, however probably by next month you'll be able to use the automated machines.

Remember that the STM knows next to NOTHING about the TRAM system and where to buy it.

In theory, if your parents are using the automated machines they'll be able to reload your card. However they do need to have your card with them when they do reload it. Now that every subway station, train station and metropolitan bus terminus will have a standardized automated OPUS machine (many times more than one), it shouldn't be much of a problem to load the card up yourself. And the best part is, you don't have to wait until the end of the month. If you wanted to, you can load up November, December and January today.

About the replacement procedure. Because your OPUS card has your picture, it's automatically registered. If it's lost or stolen you just call up the STM-OPUS info line and get a new one. They'll have your name and OPUS card number in the system. That will cancel the existing card and reissue you another one with the same media on it. You'll still have to pay another $3.50 + photo fee for a new card.

Replacement procedures for those with regular OPUS cards will start in 2009.

Alex

[pedepy]

Welcome to the boards pedepy.

Don't hold your breath on that one. One of the major aspects of OPUS is that all fare and fare advantages remain the same.

Technologically speaking, it would be fairly easy to incorporate such as pass into the system.

What exactly was your question asked? And more importantly, who did you ask it to?

Alex

I guess i asked the same to random stm employees? My question was simple enough, it usually goes along something like "will we ever be able to purchase unlimited fares and use them independent of any set date"..

Having to buy a series of 'tickets' for half a week, a week pass to end the month before you can use your month pass that starts on the first isnt very convenient and its also much more expensive. I got back from new york last month with *about* two weeks left to september, and i had to do just that. Instead i couldve just bought a month pass on the 19th and use it til October 19th (or 18th, whatever)... MUCH more convenient...

I thought this OPUS this was all about convenience.. Not very much more convenient if you never leave the island.

I guess this can be added on top of the list of the AMT's stupid spending, like that second dock for laval-bound trains at henri bourassa ...

[Zouloukistan]

Sorry, but I have another ticket-related question. (and I tried to search)

If I have 6 train tickets for zone 1, can I put on the same card 6 metro tickets? I'd guess it'd be yes, since they're different, but since train tickets work in the STM system, I'm not sure... no I guess?

[kellergraham]

I guess i asked the same to random stm employees? My question was simple enough, it usually goes along something like "will we ever be able to purchase unlimited fares and use them independent of any set date"..

Having to buy a series of 'tickets' for half a week, a week pass to end the month before you can use your month pass that starts on the first isnt very convenient and its also much more expensive. I got back from new york last month with *about* two weeks left to september, and i had to do just that. Instead i couldve just bought a month pass on the 19th and use it til October 19th (or 18th, whatever)... MUCH more convenient...

I thought this OPUS this was all about convenience.. Not very much more convenient if you never leave the island.

I guess this can be added on top of the list of the AMT's stupid spending, like that second dock for laval-bound trains at henri bourassa ...

Although I do agree with you about the 3rd platform at Henri-Bourassa, the cost of implementing OPUS has almost already been paid when you think of the amount of fare evasion it has already stopped.

A recent newspaper article showed that from the beginning of OPUS (April) to end of August, the system has recuperated almost 4 million dollars in fares that would have gone through incomplete or not at all with the old system (expired transfers, etc...)

The cost of implementing OPUS was about 4 million dollars... so in theory, it's already been paid for.

Be patient. OPUS isn't even fully implemented yet. Once it is, they'll consider things like this. The technology is there. People just have to prove there's a need for it.

Alex

OPUS Specialist

Sorry, but I have another ticket-related question. (and I tried to search)

If I have 6 train tickets for zone 1, can I put on the same card 6 metro tickets? I'd guess it'd be yes, since they're different, but since train tickets work in the STM system, I'm not sure... no I guess?

Yes you can because it's a different system. However, when you board an STM vehicle first, it will deduct an STM fare first and you'll have to top up with a tarif combinée to board the train (same procedure as now)

[Zouloukistan]

Ah, that's nice. Thanks!

[pedepy]

so i was told two things by one of the OPUS 'helpers' at joliette station this week;

first, seems like purchasing more than one monthly 'cam' in advance isnt working yet in the terminals, to load your card with more months you have to pay cash at the teller.

second, it seems as though loading of monthly/weekly fares at arbitrary dates is indeed planned, however it will be eased in as they are afraid too many people will get confused by this at first.

[mtltransitguy]

While I am somewhat okay with OPUS on the island, off the island it is only really good for TRAMS.

CIT's were fine paper tickets and even passes like SURF has, since fare evasion is not much of a problem beyond the big three.

What could be done for those systems is simply get good quality fareboxes that count change, but other than that, OPUS is not really doing them any good when it comes to things other than TRAMS.

And actually, one of the many SCAM sides to OPUS, is that you cannot share tickets anymore with anyone. Unless there is a way to split the tickets onto more than one card.

But even still lets say:

You live in RTL teritory, they don't have magnetic tickets, just OPUS one, not a problem you have a TRAM-3.

Your friends visit from Toronto, and they are staying at your house, you are going to a party, and no one wants to be the designated driver so you decided to take the RTL to Montreal. Now with tickets, you can make a mass purchase for everyone, and hand out two tickets to everybody, and this saves everyone some money. With OPUS, even if you can put the tickets onto multiple cards, why should a visitor have to fork over $3.50 for a card that will be useless to them. Unless they have thought of this, and will offer some sort of SOLO card that can hold a certain number of tickets, so say you can decide to buy 12 RTL tickets, and split them onto 6 SOLO cards, that way you can have 6 return trips for your friends.

Also good new for CAM loyalists, NOVEMBER REDUCED CAM IS ON SALE, that is a real bus pass and not the virtual one.

This could be due to seniors who don't know about OPUS yet, and are still using the 65+card that never expires.

Also, if you want to buy real tickets, and they try to sell the mag version, tell them you are buying them for some who take paratransit, they will be using those tickets for a while, since there are no imediate plans on how to intergrate the new system. I'm not sure how OPUS will work either...

We might have 2009 tickets, we will have to wait and see.

[80-040_Guy-Concordia]

Also good new for CAM loyalists, NOVEMBER REDUCED CAM IS ON SALE, that is a real bus pass and not the virtual one.

This could be due to seniors who don't know about OPUS yet, and are still using the 65+card that never expires.

The seniors get their OPUS cards in the spring so the reduced CAM will be around until then I guess.

[tristan]

You live in RTL teritory, they don't have magnetic tickets, just OPUS one, not a problem you have a TRAM-3.

Your friends visit from Toronto, and they are staying at your house, you are going to a party, and no one wants to be the designated driver so you decided to take the RTL to Montreal. Now with tickets, you can make a mass purchase for everyone, and hand out two tickets to everybody, and this saves everyone some money. With OPUS, even if you can put the tickets onto multiple cards, why should a visitor have to fork over $3.50 for a card that will be useless to them. Unless they have thought of this, and will offer some sort of SOLO card that can hold a certain number of tickets, so say you can decide to buy 12 RTL tickets, and split them onto 6 SOLO cards, that way you can have 6 return trips for your friends.

On a RTL bus, more than one person can use the SOLO card or an OPUS with tickets at the same time. The passengers must inform the driver that they want to use more than one ticket and the driver has to press the "billet" button on the OPUS unit.

Also good new for CAM loyalists, NOVEMBER REDUCED CAM IS ON SALE, that is a real bus pass and not the virtual one.

This could be due to seniors who don't know about OPUS yet, and are still using the 65+card that never expires.

RTL will not issue a "real" November bus pass for reduced fare since everyone should have their OPUS cards by October 31.

[mtltransitguy]

On a RTL bus, more than one person can use the SOLO card or an OPUS with tickets at the same time. The passengers must inform the driver that they want to use more than one ticket and the driver has to press the "billet" button on the OPUS unit.

RTL will not issue a "real" November bus pass for reduced fare since everyone should have their OPUS cards by October 31.

Okay, that makes some sense then, thanks for clearing that up.

If it hasn't already been asked, will RTL make SOLO cards available, other than through ticket machines, at the regular points of sale?

Even the seniors?

Well, as long as they sell the reduced CAM, I'm buying it, my OPUS card is a valid ID.

[SMS]

OK so...

which of the CITs don't have OPUS readers yet but accept OPUS at face value?

[kellergraham]

OK so...

which of the CITs don't have OPUS readers yet but accept OPUS at face value?

No CIT's accept OPUS yet. According to the information I have, no CIT will accept OPUS until at least March 2009

Even then, "face value" doesn't exist. You'll have to make sure your CIT(s) are fully on OPUS before getting an OPUS card for your CIT. They're not accepting the OC Transpo concept of STO's Carte a Puce.

If it seems complicated, it's because it is....

The CITs should have been equipped at the same time as the STM STL RTL gangs. That's the only complaint I've ever had about OPUS was the roll-out schedule for the CITs was very long.

Alex

[SMS]

I made history today, I used OPUS for the first time.

I love it!!! Finally I can enter from the McGill College turnstiles with a reduced OPUS!

[David D.]

I made history today, I used OPUS for the first time.

I love it!!! Finally I can enter from the McGill College turnstiles with a reduced OPUS!

Congrats, Japan now welcomes you to the 20th Century!! HAHA Man we're sooo behind on this side of the world.

[M. David]

I made history today, I used OPUS for the first time.

I love it!!! Finally I can enter from the McGill College turnstiles with a reduced OPUS!

This is exactly why I love OPUS. It's awesome !

I'm suprised to hear this coming from one of the CAM purists, but hey, as they say, you can't judge a book by its cover .

[mtltransitguy]

I used one of my loaded OPUS tickets this week, just to get the thrill of it.

It wasn't bad, but I don't like the beep from the turnstiles, I like the chimes better...

And as Mad Mark was surprised to find out, he too has a FULLY reduced fare access card, ie not an Intermidiare.

Seems everyone who got their cards early in the 2020 sessions, before the school shoots started, benefited from PhotoArt messing up!

Two years of reduced cash fare baby!!!! EHLALALALA!

[tristan]

I used one of my loaded OPUS tickets this week, just to get the thrill of it.

You can still buy reduced tickets! I thought they system wouldn't allow you to purchase them after November 1st. Someone messed up somewhere and it will cost a lot of money in lost fares at the end. Oh well, I'm not really surprised, it's STM after all.

[mtltransitguy]

You can still buy reduced tickets! I thought they system wouldn't allow you to purchase them after November 1st. Someone messed up somewhere and it will cost a lot of money in lost fares at the end. Oh well, I'm not really surprised, it's STM after all.

Well actually I had bought them at the very beginning.

I think what you mean is that you thought it would change into a Intermidiaire card once the Oct 31st dealine expired and I would technically not be able to have full reduced fare.

I don't think the system is that smart, it only reads what they put onto the card, so they put onto the card, that I was FULL REDUCED fare. I don't think they have a way of changing what it read the card as after a certain date, just making the card no longer valid after a certain date. So when our cards expires, it will be that we cannot load anymore fares onto it cause they coded it to expire on a certain date (Dec). But I don't think they can do it that say if you get the card this year and you are valid for reduced fare, then it will automatically switch to INTM if you are not valid next year, but you would have to reneew it anyways.

But even if all of that was possible, I was still no ever entitled to reduced fare since January 2008. I was under 18 back in September of 2007, which is why I was allowed to get a reduced fare card, since the rules say "Before Sept 30th of the current year".

But if I would have gone in January, since my birthday would have passed, and we would be in 2008, I would be over 18 "Before Sept 30th of the current year", so I would have gotten an INTM.

This is why I should have gotten an INTM this year too, I was never eligible for reduced fare THIS year.

What happened was they just gave reduced fare cards to everyone, they didn't think about the 18+ category at all.

If you went to one of the earlier photo sessions at 2020 itself, you got the same card no matter who you were.

Either they didn't realize it, or didn't know that they had to issue different cards to different people.

So I now have, and many others do too, a reduced fare access card that is valid in December 2009, at which point I will have to renew the card, and they would know what to do by now, so they would code it as Intermidiare.

Now see what I don't get is what do they do with your card? Do you have to go to a session or 2020 just to renew your card, or will they let you do at the the OPUS machines?

If they let you do it at the machines, there isn't really any way to check your ID, so I don't think that will work.

And even if you have to go to it in person, will they reprint you a new card or will they print over onto your card "18+" if you are transitioning?

All I know is that for two years I will have reduced cash fare, and for one year at least I will be able to buy reduced fare media loaded onto OPUS.

[Mystic]

Well guys, even more of my faith has been lost with the STM and their OPUS card system.

I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to pay in the future, but I have lost total trust over their payment system, and I am in the process of writing a formal complaint to the STM about their new system.

I know that nothing I say will change anything, but I feel that my issue should be made known just as a word of precaution to everyone here.

Sunday afternoon I went to purchase 6 tickets at the OPUS machine at Angrignon metro. I was told by mtltransitguy that the system had not been working earlier, but they must have fixed it.

This should have been my first warning sign that something was going to go terribly wrong.

During the process these loud alarms kept going off. They didn't sound like they were coming from the machine, but who knows, it was like a the old sound you'd hear when a changeur came back to his box, anyways, I selected my payment method, interac, and proceeded to insert my card. I entered my pin, and waited, and a few seconds later a message came up as "Transaction Cancelled" and no tickets came out. So went through the entire procedure again. Still none the wise of what was going on. Passed my card again, inserted my interac card, and it was accepted.

Now here's where the fun starts. I go back on Tuesday to use my interac card at a local restaurant and find out that my account had been frozen and I couldn't touch my money. I was fortunate that there was a local bank branch at our IGA that was open until 8pm. So I went over there and found out that my debit card had been cloned, and that they wanted to verify that my account hadn't been tampered with. After I was given a new card and password, I had checked my account and I had received a credit from the STM for $12.00.

Now, there are only a handful of places that I go to, and all the pieces fit together...

I am quite upset, and I just want to warn you all how easy it is for someone to do this to you. An STM OPUS machine is just as good as an unattended ATM machine, and just as prone to fraud as any other type of banking machine.

Buyer beware!

[SMS]

Funny... I used my credit card at Cote-Vertu to charge up my otherwise empty OPUS card on Halloween and I received no problems. I used the small machine... not the giant one.

[80-040_Guy-Concordia]

I am quite upset, and I just want to warn you all how easy it is for someone to do this to you. An STM OPUS machine is just as good as an unattended ATM machine, and just as prone to fraud as any other type of banking machine.

Buyer beware!

If indeed your sure that its was the STM fare machines, we have a much bigger problem. These machines are usually out in the open and wide open for tampering, especially at stations where there's less surveillance. This has to be brought up to the STM, if they don't know about the fraud already.

On a similar note, last Saturday- Nov. 1, the fare machine at Pl. St Henri was out of order.... great....imagine if it was Monday Nov. 1!!!!!

The way I got the OPUS card recharged was at Jean Coutu, took much less time than it would of if I did it at a machine. The cashier just took the card and asked which system and which fare, and dialed that in and got the card, as simple as that. So this is one way of getting your OPUS or tickets without having to deal with those fare machines defrauding you, and sometimes much faster and without the line.