As my previous blogs have been investigating about Bay Area transit systems, I've been keeping an eye on any loopholes and problems that transit agencies that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) never caught their eye on. Problems that I've been exposing for the past year have included the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Caltrain, SamTrans, AC Transit, and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MUNI). With four more transit systems now accepting the Clipper card, it's been easier to get around town. That is, unless you encountered a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Napa's VINE transit website.
I was first made aware of the expansion of Clipper in both Napa and Solano counties through social media, the same method used in following Bay Area transit agencies like AC Transit, MUNI, SamTrans, and VTA. Not long after the debut of Clipper in Napa and Solano counties, I found two major holes that questioned some claims made by Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST) and the Vine system. Those questions were directed to the Clipper Card's social media pages and their response was something that they never saw coming.
FAST transit managed to redesign their website that included plenty of Clipper card information, and Vine Transit followed shortly thereafter. However, yet another hole was found when Clipper Card's Facebook page claimed that the Clipper card can be used on the Vine's subsidiaries such as American Canyon Transit, Calistoga Shuttle and the St. Helena Shuttle. However, my check of the FAQ on the Vine's page is questioning to me, as the Vine failed to put updated information regarding the use of the Clipper card on the subsidiaries. Furthermore, American Canyon's page on their transit system never mentioned the Clipper card on their website, which remains in doubt to the claims that Clipper card users may have been misled about Clipper card usage on the Vine's subsidiaries.
My first investigation onto the Vine's outdated website has revealed that there has been many holes that I found of which they are unaware of who's accountable until I asked the tough questions and inquires to Clipper card's social media page. Questions still remains on who is going to make sure that the Vine's website will have someone that will update their FAQ and ensure that accurate information is vital to riders who is a Napa County resident or a visitor to Napa County. Until those things are sorted out, expect some confusion about Napa Vine's website in relation to the Clipper card through e-mails, inquiries, and so-on.
Original Work: Kyle Chak
E-mail: chak595301@gmail.com
Twitter: @KyleSChak
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