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SFO Seeking Replacement For
(Not So) SmartCard

The company that sold San Francisco International Airport the SmartCard system for taxis is no longer willing to support it. As a result, SFO is seeking a replacement for the system.

SFO purchased the system from ERG America, Inc., and maintains a servicing agreement with the company. The contract was to expire on June 30, but the airport extended it for two years while it conducts a public bidding process for a new vendor. A Request for Proposals (RFP) is expected to be issued by November.

From the outset, drivers have had numerous complaints about the system. In some instances, money deposited in the machines has not been credited to the driver's card.

Henry Thompson, SFO's Assistant Deputy Director of Operations and Security, says this happens when cards are not properly seated in the machines or are pulled out before the value has been added. He says the system has been modified to minimize mistakes. Drivers also complain of long waits when they apply for refunds. The airport admits that even simple refunds, where the driver has a receipt, can take 2-3 months. In situations where no receipt has been issued, further investigation is required, and refunds can take much longer.

Drivers also report cards being blocked when they try to get through the taxi lot gates. When that happens, the driver must go on a long, time-consuming trek to the management office to get the card unblocked.

Thompson said cards are sometimes blocked when a driver tries exiting too quickly after the last driver has gone through. The airport is installing new gate arms to help alleviate the problem. But there are no plans to bring a manager into the cab lot to deal with blocked cards and machine problems on the spot. It's not worth the investment, Thompson says.

Despite its problems, Thompson praised the SmartCard. “The system has brought about a lot of improvements for the airport and drivers,” he said. “It's doing what it was designed to do.”

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Municipal Transportation Agency meetings can be viewed live on SFGTV, Channel 26.

To view current or previous meetings online, go to sfgov.org/sfgtv.

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SweetWire Communication

is a new San Francisco Taxicab Driver Network committed to connecting the passenger directly to the driver. They need day drivers for their free beta-testing.

Email: sweetwire@sbcglobal.net

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