National Parks Senior Pass price change

[Kirk W]

Pet & Pat made a post about this on the RV Action Items forum, but I thought that I'd repeat it here to make sure everyone sees it.

They posted a link to the NPS page on Changes to the Senior Pass. It announces the date (August 28, 2017) of the price increase for the senior pass and it also gives some very interesting, helpful information about the change.  The most important thing on the page which I was not previously aware of is quoted below.

Quote

What if a senior citizen is on a fixed budget?
The legislation also establishes an annual Senior Pass for $20. That pass is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Four annual Senior Passes purchased in prior years can be traded in for a lifetime pass. Additionally, access to the majority of National Park Service sites remains free—only 118 of 417 National Park Service sites have an entrance fee.

 

 

[KodiakJack]

Another important point is that folks that already have a Senior Pass will still be able to use them without additional fees.   

Later,

J

 

PS The link I posted was the same one Kirk posted so I deleted it.

[Hobo John]

I find it difficult in these times of high technology that there isnt a database that will identify a senior pass holder so a lost card can be replaced without having to purchase another. If they are lifetime passes then the politicians that were ok with the price increase should have provided for a way to get a replacement card without paying the fee again.

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

18 minutes ago, Matilda's mate said:

I find it difficult in these times of high technology that there isnt a database that will identify a senior pass holder so a lost card can be replaced without having to purchase another. If they are lifetime passes then the politicians that were ok with the price increase should have provided for a way to get a replacement card without paying the fee again.

And since technology is "free", the tracking of Senior Pass Cards will become a $200 proposition.

[Big5er]

13 hours ago, Matilda's mate said:

I find it difficult in these times of high technology that there isnt a database that will identify a senior pass holder so a lost card can be replaced without having to purchase another. If they are lifetime passes then the politicians that were ok with the price increase should have provided for a way to get a replacement card without paying the fee again.

And then we have to pay salaries for the people that maintain that database, the people that enter the information in that database (after they issue your pass) etc, etc, etc. 

Rather than expecting them to replace it for free, why not expend a little effort and secure it so you won't lose it? I've had a drivers license for 40 years and I've never lost it. I figure at that rate I can get a Senior Pass at 62 and I should be able to hang on to it until I am 102. I'll just put it in the same place as my DL...in my wallet.

[Kirk W]

54 minutes ago, Big5er said:

Rather than expecting them to replace it for free,

Or perhaps set some fee for replacing it, just as driver's licenses have? 

[Pat & Pete]

Man , it seems you guys are really pushing it this morning . 

The data base is already there , filled with every cards information , which was likely input by volunteers . There should be no maintenance required . The info simply collects dust until it 's called up from some file somewhere in the feds 'cloud' of information .

I can see a small replacement fee for those too feeble to be able to control where they keep required 'information' .

On the other hand , I can see the government making a million dollar deal out of what's already been . That , just for the sake of giving some contributor's kid an easy income . 

[mptjelgin]

48 minutes ago, Pat & Pete said:

The data base is already there , filled with every cards information , which was likely input by volunteers . There should be no maintenance required . The info simply collects dust until it 's called up from some file somewhere in the feds 'cloud' of information .

I wonder if this is correct. My wife and I receive a Federal Volunteer Pass each year because we each volunteer over 250 hours. The Volunteer Coordinator reaches into a box of Volunteer Passes, pulls a couple out, punches the appropriate date codes, and hands them over. There is no record kept of pass number or anything else. So at least for volunteer passes I am sure that there is no data base.

Years ago when we bought our annual pass it seems like we handed them the $$ and they handed us the card, with no additional information collected.

[chirakawa]

54 minutes ago, Pat & Pete said:

The data base is already there , filled with every cards information , which was likely input by volunteers . There should be no maintenance required . The info simply collects dust until it 's called up from some file somewhere in the feds 'cloud' of information .

 

I certainly don't know, but when I bought my pass they told me there was no national database at all.  They said the only record of my pass was in my hand and that they only had to account for the money by how many passes in their inventory.

[Barbaraok]

There is a number on your card, which you use when you reserve online.  That number is connected to - absolutely nothing in terms of my name, address, phone number, date of birth, etc.  Remember (come on, we're not that old )  when you got the pass - they took a look at your DL, to verify age and handed you the pass in exchange for $10.00.    The only people who would have filled out something would be those who purchased by mail. 

Barb

 

[Pat & Pete]

OK , OK ... I'll admit there were no computers in use when we bought ours , either . Maybe the past is still catching up .

It does seem that in today's world of automation , it would be no more than a quick scan and all pertinent info would be on file . 

 

[Barbaraok]

Don't we have too much information 'on file' in too many places.   Much easier to just get a second pass if you think you will lose yours (I keep mine right behind my DL) than have another database that can be hacked to get names, addresses, etc. 

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

For those not connected to the Information Technology industry, everything is easy because on TV it is.  Those in the know that is takes the same efforts and equipment to track a Senior Pass card as  F-22 Raptor.  One is valuable enough to warrant the cost.

The small replacement fee for the Senior Card at this moment is $10, a steal of a deal.

 

[KodiakJack]

4 hours ago, Mark and Dale Bruss said:

The small replacement fee for the Senior Card at this moment is $10, a steal of a deal.

 

Good point!  Makes now the time to get a replacement if you need one.

Later,

J

PS Of course they will have to come up with data base to tract new and previous card purchases...and then there is the 4 card trade in provision...we're doomed to another expensive data base whether one exists now or not.

[Kirk W]

7 hours ago, Pat & Pete said:

The data base is already there , filled with every cards information , which was likely input by volunteers .

What volunteers, and where? We bought ours at the get to Yellowstone for Pam and at the entry of Grand Canyon for myself. Those were the old cardboard cards and they were later replaced with plastic ones that have a magnetic stripe at the entry to another park after those came out. The ranger simply took the cardboard ones and handed back plastic "Golden Are Passport" cards. Those cards had no name at all but just a strip for the owner to sign. Those are the cards that we are using to this day and we have not been asked to update to the current "Senior Pass." I am fairly sure that there is no record of either of our cards by who now has them. That may well be the reason for the lack of any means to replace them. 

[Pat & Pete]

So , maybe there isn't a data base . 

I just figured that if they can tell us how many sheets of TP each of us uses that they would have any form of contact with them on file also . Hopefully I'm wrong on both counts . 

And , I agree , Barbara , there is way too much info collected on individuals , in too many places . 

 

[Dmitche4]

I picked up my pass on Saturday.

David