Monday, March 14, 2011

This Crazy Train's Presto Chronicles, Chapter 4: What gives? It's been over 72 hours

My Presto card isn't showing the $50.00 I deposited Friday afternoon and I have $9.39 left on my card. Sure, this gets me on the train tomorrow, but what about the ride home?
Looks like loading the card at the stations' ticket booths is the better option.
From: "PRESTO Customer Service"
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:14:43 -0500
To: C Smith
Subject: E-purse load confirmed

Thank you. Your order has been processed. Your confirmation details are below.
Changes to your account may take up to 24 hours to process (You lie!!!).
Updates to your transaction history will not appear until you have tapped your PRESTO card against a 'Tap On' device or 'Balance Checker' device (I did!!!).

Payment Details

    • Amount: 50.00
    • Transaction Type: Purchase
    • Date and Time of Purchase: 2011-03-11 - 14:10:11
    • Authorization Code: 054450
    • Response Code: 027
    • ISO Code: 01
    • Response Message: APPROVED * =
    • Reference Number: 661621050014484750
    • Goods and Services Order: e-purse Ad Hoc load
    • Cardholder Name: C Smith
    • Card Type: Visa

Sincerely,
The PRESTO Team

8 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 15, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    ugh. they built PRESTO from scratch and couldn't spec a way to give realtime balance updates... Those of us who work in prepaid systems think it's a bit of a joke.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 15, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    This confirms my decision not to switch to Presto until they force me to. I'll stick to my monthly paper pass, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 15, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    see it's shit like that that makes me want to keep the paper based copies of the tickets

    ReplyDelete
  4. DonnaMarch 15, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    that's why it's better to load your card from the ticket person at your station. It goes on your Presto card right then and there. no wait time! However I didnt think the wait time was that long :(

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mel D.March 15, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Hey CJ
    Did you check your balance this morning? What's the verdict. How come this can't be in real-time?

    ReplyDelete
  6. C.J. SmithMarch 15, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    My balance as of this morning is correct. I still take issue with the wording of the payement receipt email. It should read, "changes to your account may take up to 72 hours to process".

    ReplyDelete
  7. TomWMarch 15, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    The 24 hour wait thing is supposed to apply to buses only. (Presto card readers on buses aren't connected to anything, so only get information about money load to transfer onto your card when they go back to the garage).

    On the other hand, the readers at GO stations (and TTC stations) should be connected to the network, and have your money load available within a few minuets of an online load.

    ReplyDelete
  8. karyMarch 16, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    I read somewhere (I think) that if you're a regular user of presto you can carry a debit for 1 trip.

    I noticed today that if I have my kindle in front of my card in my purse, the reader can't read it, whereas usually I just tap my purse and it recognizes the card.

    ReplyDelete

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