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So with MetroCards going away the privacy implications of this are pretty big. Check out this thread on Twitter with more info: https://twitter.com/Chronotope

So with MetroCards going away the privacy implications of this are pretty big. Check out this thread on Twitter with more info: https://twitter.com/Chronotope/status/1565734877957394434 https://twitter.com/Chronotope/status/1565734877957394434 Highlights: OMNY is not a project of the city. It is a system operated by the private organization Cubic Transportation Systems. Cubic has quietly taken over the monetization process of the majority of major US and western EU cities OMNY says they won't disclose your data except for potential sharing to law, "safety", and anti-fraud related entities, "affiliates and subsidiaries". OMNY is owned by Cubic subsidiaries include military service providers, & cos that serve the international intelligence community Cubic is owned by Veritas Capital. Veritas Capital, among other things, helps run the DHS's biometrics database. Their CCPA statement says they collect and share information collected from "portfolio companies" that includes Identifiers. Twitter thread has much more specific details.

googlryas 4y ago
You can still buy a physical card with cash, eventually at vending machines in stations, but also at places like target
- tetromino_ 4y ago
  But then, once you have the physical omny card, how do you refill it with cash? Go back to Target?
  - googlryas 4y ago
    Yup - you can reload it with cash at the same stores that sell it. You'll eventually be able to put money into a vending machine to reload it as well. Or, you could not refill it, and just buy another omny card. I'm not sure what the surplus above fare costs is for a new card, but it's probably only a few bucks. If you're concerned about privacy, it might be good to not have a very long travel history all associated with a single omny card.
  - derefr 4y ago
    Even if it only supported load by credit, you could always refill it with the balance of a gift card purchased with cash (at Target.)
  - Spooky23 4y ago
    Isn’t the whole point that you don’t need a card and can just use a credit card or phone?
    - phinnaeus 4y ago
      In this thread, the point is you don't want to use a credit card because of the tracking implications.
      - Spooky23 4y ago
        Seems silly. There’s facial recognition throughout the system.
- JumpCrisscross 4y ago
  Would add that the MTA absolutely tracked swiped to credit-card purchases MetroCards, and would have to deliver those data to DHS if subpoenaed.
CodeWriter23 4y ago
> quietly taken over This is how nearly all Government Services work. Outsourced to a "public interest" (and I do us that term loosely) corporation. Like when the RTD got switched to Metro in Los Angeles. Presented to the public as a rebrand. But it was in actuality the firing of one firm and the hiring of another.
monksy 4y ago
Cubic runs Ventra.. that roll out was a very bad roll out that could have been easily prevented with QA.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
robotmlg 4y ago
MetroCard was also created and run by Cubic, nothing new here.
- inferiorhuman 4y ago
  If memory serves Cubic did the initial RFID readers for BART, after BART finally gave in and joined TransLink/Clipper. They were way slower than the readers every other transit agency used.
  - iancarroll 4y ago
    Cubic (still) runs and maintains Clipper as a whole, and most other systems like it in the US. They didn’t develop Clipper at first, but have been maintaining/upgrading it for most of its life. The support/call center is Cubic, most of the readers are built by Cubic, etc.
    - inferiorhuman 4y ago
      Right. I don't remember the full rationale as to why Cubic was brought in, but I do remember BART dragging their feet on working with ERG and instead opted to go their own way (EZ Rider).
StanislavPetrov 4y ago
One of the only upsides of "Criminal justice reform" in NY. Paying subway fares is a performative spectacle for those who choose to participate.
- GekkePrutser 4y ago
  Isn't that everywhere? In Barcelona I often see people jumping the turnstiles, or tailgating. People sometimes even get angry when I stop walking to prevent them from tailgating me. As if it's a right. Meanwhile the staff just sit in their booth while twiddling their fingers. Due to this laissez-faire attitude the whole subway system is infested with criminals. Pickpockets operate out in the open. One time I got pickpocketed I searched the bins and I found 10 discarded ID cards and driving licenses etc. But I've never seen a subway system that wasn't like this. In Singapore perhaps with their $1000 littering fines.
phantomathkg 4y ago
With transport system in major cities around the world move to various contactless payment, what can we do? Drive?

googlryas 4y ago

You can still buy a physical card with cash, eventually at vending machines in stations, but also at places like target

tetromino_ 4y ago
But then, once you have the physical omny card, how do you refill it with cash? Go back to Target?
- googlryas 4y ago
  Yup - you can reload it with cash at the same stores that sell it. You'll eventually be able to put money into a vending machine to reload it as well. Or, you could not refill it, and just buy another omny card. I'm not sure what the surplus above fare costs is for a new card, but it's probably only a few bucks. If you're concerned about privacy, it might be good to not have a very long travel history all associated with a single omny card.
- derefr 4y ago
  Even if it only supported load by credit, you could always refill it with the balance of a gift card purchased with cash (at Target.)
- Spooky23 4y ago
  Isn’t the whole point that you don’t need a card and can just use a credit card or phone?
  - phinnaeus 4y ago
    In this thread, the point is you don't want to use a credit card because of the tracking implications.
    - Spooky23 4y ago
      Seems silly. There’s facial recognition throughout the system.
JumpCrisscross 4y ago
Would add that the MTA absolutely tracked swiped to credit-card purchases MetroCards, and would have to deliver those data to DHS if subpoenaed.

CodeWriter23 4y ago

> quietly taken over This is how nearly all Government Services work. Outsourced to a "public interest" (and I do us that term loosely) corporation. Like when the RTD got switched to Metro in Los Angeles. Presented to the public as a rebrand. But it was in actuality the firing of one firm and the hiring of another.

monksy 4y ago

Cubic runs Ventra.. that roll out was a very bad roll out that could have been easily prevented with QA.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]

robotmlg 4y ago

MetroCard was also created and run by Cubic, nothing new here.

inferiorhuman 4y ago
If memory serves Cubic did the initial RFID readers for BART, after BART finally gave in and joined TransLink/Clipper. They were way slower than the readers every other transit agency used.
- iancarroll 4y ago
  Cubic (still) runs and maintains Clipper as a whole, and most other systems like it in the US. They didn’t develop Clipper at first, but have been maintaining/upgrading it for most of its life. The support/call center is Cubic, most of the readers are built by Cubic, etc.
  - inferiorhuman 4y ago
    Right. I don't remember the full rationale as to why Cubic was brought in, but I do remember BART dragging their feet on working with ERG and instead opted to go their own way (EZ Rider).

StanislavPetrov 4y ago

One of the only upsides of "Criminal justice reform" in NY. Paying subway fares is a performative spectacle for those who choose to participate.

GekkePrutser 4y ago
Isn't that everywhere? In Barcelona I often see people jumping the turnstiles, or tailgating. People sometimes even get angry when I stop walking to prevent them from tailgating me. As if it's a right. Meanwhile the staff just sit in their booth while twiddling their fingers. Due to this laissez-faire attitude the whole subway system is infested with criminals. Pickpockets operate out in the open. One time I got pickpocketed I searched the bins and I found 10 discarded ID cards and driving licenses etc. But I've never seen a subway system that wasn't like this. In Singapore perhaps with their $1000 littering fines.

phantomathkg 4y ago

With transport system in major cities around the world move to various contactless payment, what can we do? Drive?