Rav Kav App

This app is not compatible with my phone, but my wife uses it. With this you can check how many "nikuvim" have been used on your RavKav (and where and when they were used) so presumably it should be fairly simple to know if the train is taking an extra 'nikuv' or whether it is simply a different counting system.

The app is for android.

Rav Kav app

This developer also has an app which says when the next bus is coming (it works in Jerusalem, not sure about other parts of the country).

Let me know (via the comments) whether this app says that CityPass is taking extra money or not.

New Twist in Rav Kav Story

I just received this email. I am posting it as is. I take no responsibility for the content (because it contradicts what Citipass told me explicitly on the phone). On the other hand, I certainly have no reason to trust Citipass.

Dear Rabbi Sedley 

I saw on Friday in the Jerusalem Post in a letter published that there was in fact a policy change made by Citypass, no longer accepting the maavar from a bus to a train. I have multiple to sources who can confirm they have been charged twice. I have sent them a letter requesting a clarification of the policy in the form of a public announcement, otherwise I will be filing a class-action lawsuit against them if they do not do so within 48 hours.

If you can, please post this on your blog-site, so we can try and get as many people to come forward. Thank you.

 

If you want to contact him you can do so through me (I won't post  his contact details without permission - though if he gives permission I will add it here), or leave a comment.

Let's hope that this gets sorted out and the people of Jerusalem (and Israel) get proper and honest answers, and a proper and honest transport system.

Rav Kav Update

I must say that I'm very impressed. The people from CityPass phoned me just now (Monday - I left them a query last Thursday, so that is quite quick).

They confirmed and clarified that the "maavar/transfer" DOES still work from bus to train and back again within 90 minutes (provided that the RavKav ticket is code 62 - you have to check that they sell you the right ticket if you buy it on the bus).

On the other hand, she admitted that sometimes the machine does take extra clips by mistake. If someone thinks that the machine has taken an extra clip by mistake they must go to the tachana merkazit (central [bus] station) and go to the RavKav stand there and they will investigate. If it was indeed in error they will refund the clip (though I'm not sure whether they refund on the spot or whether they send a refund voucher at some later date).

I would be glad to hear from someone who has tried doing that to see how long such a procedure takes (though to be honest, probably just the time it would take me to go to the tachana merkazit and get through security would make it not worth my while for the sake of 6.60 shekel).

I asked her if some policy had changed on 1st February, as the ticket inspector had told me. She said that she was not aware of any change.

So, apologies to RavKav and CityPass for thinking they had changed their policy (though I was told so by one of their employees). Well done for getting back to me so quickly. On the other hand, the machine DOES make mistakes, and getting a refund involves taking a trip to the tachana merkazit.

Caveat Viator.