12 ms·

Well not sure about what part of the world you are in, but here in Manhattan the MTA subway system pays for itself. Only about 4-5% of their operating budget co

Well not sure about what part of the world you are in, but here in Manhattan the MTA subway system pays for itself. Only about 4-5% of their operating budget comes from taxes, with the remainder coming from fares. A serious vulnerability would crush their budget. I can just imagine going into some back room to buy a $1,000 metro card for $5. However I can't imagine many people really bothering, an unlimited card is only $81 a month. When rent is $2500 a one bedroom apartment in brooklyn, and lunch is $15 every day, $81 for all of your transportation really isn't a big deal. Excellent hack though.

andr 18y ago
MBTA, the system they hacked, is notoriously inefficient. Apart from fares, they get 20% of state sales tax, or 1 cent of every dollar you spend in the state, even if you don't live in a place that has a train station. The new (electronic) fare system was introduced about 18 months ago and was accompanied by a fare raise from 1.25 to 2.00/1.75, and one of the major reasons quoted was the cost of the new system.
thomasmallen 18y ago
You guys are so lucky. Here in DC, we have the second-highest ridership in the country, and somehow these nincompoops can't get the system to pay for itself. Never mind that we don't have month passes like in most normal cities, and that somebody who regularly rides the Metro will easily spend in excess of $200, even $300 per month. Thanks for hiking fares again, guys! And the number of cars, stations, and miles of track almost certainly pale in comparison to those in New York. Hell, I pay $140/month to take the Orange line two stops west and a flat-fee bus to its second stop on the route. And people wonder why we have such awful traffic: Driving is often cheaper!
GavinB 18y ago
". . . lunch is $15 every day . . ." Get some bread and make a sandwich, already!
- gaius 18y ago
  Haha, half the apartments in Manhattan barely even have kitchens!

andr 18y ago

MBTA, the system they hacked, is notoriously inefficient. Apart from fares, they get 20% of state sales tax, or 1 cent of every dollar you spend in the state, even if you don't live in a place that has a train station. The new (electronic) fare system was introduced about 18 months ago and was accompanied by a fare raise from 1.25 to 2.00/1.75, and one of the major reasons quoted was the cost of the new system.

thomasmallen 18y ago

You guys are so lucky. Here in DC, we have the second-highest ridership in the country, and somehow these nincompoops can't get the system to pay for itself. Never mind that we don't have month passes like in most normal cities, and that somebody who regularly rides the Metro will easily spend in excess of $200, even $300 per month. Thanks for hiking fares again, guys! And the number of cars, stations, and miles of track almost certainly pale in comparison to those in New York. Hell, I pay $140/month to take the Orange line two stops west and a flat-fee bus to its second stop on the route. And people wonder why we have such awful traffic: Driving is often cheaper!

GavinB 18y ago

". . . lunch is $15 every day . . ." Get some bread and make a sandwich, already!

gaius 18y ago
Haha, half the apartments in Manhattan barely even have kitchens!