8 ms·

The prize is very underwhelming. If they really want people to spend effort on it, they need to make the prize worth it.

xtiansimon 2y ago
> “The winner will receive a vintage New York City Transit item from our memorabilia collection.” Depends what it is. Long as it’s not something you could steal yourself. Ha!
- jesterman 2y ago
  One of the options is literally a trash can! https://new.mta.info/document/85441 https://new.mta.info/document/85441 Or perhaps... a subway seat? https://new.mta.info/document/85661 https://new.mta.info/document/85661
  - erikaww 2y ago
    I’d give multiple weeks of time for a city trash can lol
- mannyv 2y ago
  Their collection of vintage gum scrapings perhaps?
zeroxfe 2y ago
If you're doing it for the prize, then you're not the targeted audience :-)
noitpmeder 2y ago
Seems perfect actually! Attracts people that are interested in the subject matter, not just a proposed reward.
- maxverse 2y ago
  "we're hiring people that really love programming and aren't just in it for the money"
  - 0cf8612b2e1e 2y ago
    It will look great in your portfolio.
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
nxobject 2y ago
Never underestimate the value of surplus NYC subway memorabilia to a transit enthusiast. Especially signage from retired rolling stock.
afavour 2y ago
IMO it deliberately establishes a tone. This challenge is for rail fans, it’s not a generalised “use our API” hackathon type thing. Plus the MTA has a huge budget crunch. I really don’t think they could justify spending money on something with such an unclear outcome.
- stevage 2y ago
  Even still it probably cost tens of thousands of dollars of staff time.
IncreasePosts 2y ago
The prize is being able to say you won the prize on your resume. I assume a lot of college kids in data science are going to be going at this.
corytheboyd 2y ago
I think it actually sounds kinda cool, if it’s something unique that couldn’t just be purchased!

xtiansimon 2y ago

> “The winner will receive a vintage New York City Transit item from our memorabilia collection.” Depends what it is. Long as it’s not something you could steal yourself. Ha!

jesterman 2y ago
One of the options is literally a trash can! https://new.mta.info/document/85441 https://new.mta.info/document/85441 Or perhaps... a subway seat? https://new.mta.info/document/85661 https://new.mta.info/document/85661
- erikaww 2y ago
  I’d give multiple weeks of time for a city trash can lol
mannyv 2y ago
Their collection of vintage gum scrapings perhaps?

zeroxfe 2y ago

If you're doing it for the prize, then you're not the targeted audience :-)

noitpmeder 2y ago

Seems perfect actually! Attracts people that are interested in the subject matter, not just a proposed reward.

maxverse 2y ago
"we're hiring people that really love programming and aren't just in it for the money"
- 0cf8612b2e1e 2y ago
  It will look great in your portfolio.

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

nxobject 2y ago

Never underestimate the value of surplus NYC subway memorabilia to a transit enthusiast. Especially signage from retired rolling stock.

afavour 2y ago

IMO it deliberately establishes a tone. This challenge is for rail fans, it’s not a generalised “use our API” hackathon type thing. Plus the MTA has a huge budget crunch. I really don’t think they could justify spending money on something with such an unclear outcome.

stevage 2y ago
Even still it probably cost tens of thousands of dollars of staff time.

IncreasePosts 2y ago

The prize is being able to say you won the prize on your resume. I assume a lot of college kids in data science are going to be going at this.

corytheboyd 2y ago

I think it actually sounds kinda cool, if it’s something unique that couldn’t just be purchased!