Newarkguy1836 t1_izzf6on wrote on December 12, 2022 at 11:40 PM

Unlike regular NJ Transit trains with conductors punching tickets, Light Rail operates on an honor System of ticket validation. The purpose of validating a ticket is to prevent you from using the same ticket both ways or handing it over to a friend to use. By not having a ticket validated or stamped, there's no way to prove you didn't just get that ticket from someone else or you're trying to double dip. Now if the cop sees your receipt and there's no reasonable way you could have double dipped within that time window and he still gives you a ticket, he's a douchebag. But it's a million times cheaper to just pay the ticket than to fight it. It's not like you got a DUI or something requiring a lawyer. It sucks, but you got to be careful and follow directions.

lookingtocolor t1_izzmdyg wrote on December 13, 2022 at 12:32 AM

Think they used the app then probably got on or off at penn with no signal. If you get on around some of the underground locations definitely possible to lose connection before the digital validation finishes. I've had it happen once or twice when not wanting to miss the train.

ryanov t1_j00si4c wrote on December 13, 2022 at 6:26 AM

It doesn’t become validated for a couple of minutes after you tell it to validate, so there’s no reason not to do it way upstairs.

thebruns t1_j02lrpt wrote on December 13, 2022 at 5:11 PM

You are supposed to activate it upstairs where the giant sign is, not on the platform level

lookingtocolor t1_j03g03c wrote on December 13, 2022 at 8:18 PM

Sure but if you forgot and your train is there I'd risk the ticket for the couple of underground stops. Especially when it's late and time between trains is longer.