The Experience Card had only been available for a month when I heard from someone who lost an unregistered card and was frustrated because there was no way to recover the $27.80 receipts said was still on the card.

So here's a way to protect yourself:
There are two numbers on the back of every card which you need to register it. One is the 9-digit card number. The other is the verification number which is hidden by stuff you have to scratch off. As soon as you put money on the card, if you are not going to register the card right away, copy those numbers and file them where you can find them. Then if you lose the card, you can still go online or call in and register it to an account in your name -and then report that you lost the card and get another one to access your remaining funds.

Quadra foot passengers, including those with bicycles, have the option of continuing to buy paper ticket books and hand the attendant at the ramp a paper ticket to get on board. Since you have to put $40 on your card to get the $4.25 prepaid passenger fare for Quadra, and a book of 10 passenger tickets costs $42.50, there are no big savings for those who regularly walk on and would just as soon avoid the ticket booth. There are plans to have a card reader at the waiting room, but until it is installed, this practice is intended to reduce congestion and delays at the ticket booth-and accommodate those who have mobility problems or who arrive at the last minute from work. However, if you have older Quadra passenger tickets that are only worth $4.05, you have to go back to the ticket booth, pay 20 cents, and get a boarding pass.

By John Sprungman, Chair Ferry Advisory Committee