073108 UTAfrontrunner_02
CRAIG DILGER/Daily Herald
A pair of riders get onto the UTA Front Runner train to Ogden from Salt Lake City on Thursday, July 31, 2008.

Saturday, 23 August 2008
UTA drops tokens because of fakes Print E-mail
Joe Pyrah - Daily Herald   

Conceding the battle against tens of thousands of dollars in token fraud, the Utah Transit Authority will not accept them as a form of payment beginning Sept. 1.

"Discontinuing the use of tokens was a hard decision because UTA does not want to inconvenience its riders," says Chief Operating Officer Jerry Benson.

Token fraud jumped in May when people began using arcade and other tokens not only for fares but to get change back in cash at ticket vending machines.

It was especially egregious at the 9000 South and 9400 South TRAX stations, where several people were caught. But instead of going away, the fraud simply spread to other TRAX and FrontRunner stations.

"We're losing money at $10,000 to $12,000 a month," said spokeswoman Carrie Bohnsack-Ware.

UTA could replace the system for about $100,000, but they will have a credit/debit card system in place by the end of the year already.

"As a taxpayer-funded organization and at a time when we are implementing fuel surcharges and asking our riders to pay more, it's not appropriate for UTA to knowingly allow this fraud to continue," Benson said.

Tokens will still be accepted as fare on the buses and will still be available for purchase at UTA pass sales outlets. That's because drivers can easily spot a fake token, Bohnsack-Ware said. Bus riders will still receive a ticket to transfer to TRAX or FrontRunner. Passengers beginning their trips on TRAX or FrontRunner should either purchase an appropriate pass from a ticket vending machine or present a token to a UTA bus operator in exchange for a transfer ticket to board the train.

After Sept. 1, UTA will exchange tokens for another transit fare of equal value. Tokens may be exchanged at UTA Customer Service Centers through Sept. 30.
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Organizer Eric Aug 23 2008 05:06:55
This thread discusses the Content article: UTA drops tokens because of fakes

UTA is only dropping tokens as payment at vending machines.

See the UTA website (rideuta.com) for a more accurate report.

UTA to Stop Accepting Tokens At TRAX and FrontRunner Ticket Vending Machines
08/22/2008
Due to a continuing high level of token fraud at its rail stations, the Utah Transit Authority will no longer accept tokens as a form of payment at ticket vending machines. This change will be effective Sept. 1, 2008, and applies to all ticket vending machines on TRAX and FrontRunner.

Token fraud at the ticket vending machines significantly increased in May, as individuals were using arcade and other non-UTA tokens to purchase fares and receive change in cash. In response, UTA stopped accepting tokens at the 9000 South and 9400 South TRAX stations, where the token fraud was centered, hoping that would address the fraud problem without any further inconvenience to riders. However, the offenders simply moved to other stations and the fraud has continued to escalate and spread to both TRAX and FrontRunner.

"Discontinuing the use of tokens was a hard decision because UTA does not want to inconvenience its riders," says UTA Chief Operating Officer Jerry Benson. "But as a taxpayer funded organization and at a time when we are implementing fuel surcharges and asking our riders to pay more, it's not appropriate for UTA to knowingly allow this fraud to continue."

Tokens will still be accepted as fare on the buses, and will still be available for purchase at UTA pass sales outlets. Bus riders will still receive a ticket to transfer to TRAX or FrontRunner. Passengers beginning their trips on TRAX or FrontRunner should either purchase an appropriate pass from a ticket vending machine or present a token to a UTA bus operator in exchange for a transfer ticket to board the train.

TRAX and FrontRunner riders are encouraged to either use their existing tokens prior to Sept 1. After Sept. 1, UTA will exchange tokens for another transit fare of equal value. Tokens may be exchanged at UTA Customer Service Centers through September 30, 2008.

http://www.rideuta.com/mediaRoom/pressReleases.aspx?pressReleaseID=823
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