Problems with bussing, QR codes, bar codes.
When people are too lazy to learn.
This article is intended to give some insight into the problems of society. One of the problems is laziness, and ignorance. It also might be that these helpless people are simply unable to do their own research.
We have some problems with our bussing system. Most of the problems come from unprepared people. I’m a computer programmer and I worked for several years with barcoding and fill-in-the-dot scanning technology, the one that standardized tests use for the answer sheets. There’s a reason you have to use the #2 pencil or a black pen, high contrast is essential for these machines to read the mark properly.
The people
First, we have regular busses that stop at every stop, but ONLY if you pull the cord in the buss to tell the drive to stop. Then we have the express busses which has a name, call it Super Duper Line (SDL). This DOES NOT stop at every stop, it only stops once in a mile at SDL stops. We have a third set of short busses that go around in circles downtown only, let’s call it Speedy Bus. No, they couldn’t call it Downtown Bus to make it easier for newbies.
People don’t understand the difference, nor do they try to find the website to learn about the difference. Our city also has a bussing instructor. You call them up, set up an appointment, and they will teach you how to use the machines to buy a magstripe card (which is like a debit card with money on it just for the bus system) or a one-time QR code on a piece of paper. The used magstrip cards are just thick paper and are often found on the ground near bus stops. And they will teach you about the 2 types of busses.
How these busses work
There are special stops just for the SDL with heated cement, seats, and a machine where you can buy a magstripe card (to use as many times as it still has a value) or a one-time QR code printed on paper. The bus vehicle for SDL does not accept cash at all.
The standard bus accepts cash but will not give back change. The cost is $1.75 for a one-way trip. If you give them a $5 bill you will not get back change. If you buy a magstripe card you can use it on the standard bus and it’s good for 1.5 hours after the date and time since you boarded the bus. Somehow the system tracks the exact time you boarded the bus via your magstripe card.
Many people don’t know the differences between busses. The SDL bus has an electronic display which just says “SDL” in LED lights. They are also bright green and white, a different from the standard busses.
At the SDL stops, many people just don’t buy their magstripe card, or QR code paper, before the bus arrives. If they take too long to buy the QR code, the bus has to leave. That’s city policy.
Many other people just don’t have their money ready for the standard bus when they board and are holding up a whole busload of passengers as they look for sweaty boob money.
City policy is also that the bus MUST stop right next to the curb for the safety of the passengers. The driver will not open the door if they are a whole lane of traffic away from the stop even if they are next to a bus stop. And ignorant, self-centered people get pissy because they don’t understand this.
QR and bar codes
We have problems with the QR code papers as well. The QR code is a very complex 2D bar code. It must be printed perfectly with high contrast or it will not scan. If one tiny square is missing because a print head is dirty, it will not scan, the scanning machine thinks QR code is invalid.
Since high-contrast printouts are key to this, a thermal printer is used. Thermal printers and thermal paper are inexpensive, but the print heads sometimes get dirty and will not print very well. If the city doesn’t have the budget to maintain these properly, or even check them properly with a test code printout, don’t bother getting them in the first place.
They have machines that count coins accurately. Use those instead. But even those have to be cleaned as the coin tracks will also get gummed up with dirt and grime from the coins. Coins and paper currency are very dirty. One article I read said about 10% of US $20 bills have traces of cocaine on them.
We also have problems with some bar codes at the store, and at the can return kiosk. On some cans of soda the can color is a light color, the can metal is a light silver. So the barcode becomes the silver color of the can metal itself, surrounded by a light color. These often don’t scan well. Again, high contrast is essential for this technology to work.
So when in doubt, get your payment ready before boarding the bus. Don’t use sweaty boob money. Buy your payment option before the bus gets there. And ask for help if you are not familiar with the bus system.