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A Twitter Data Scientist Hacks San Francisco's Subway Fares

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Re: A Twitter Data Scientist Hacks San Francisco's Subway Fares

#21

Post by Aloisius »

krallja wrote: post #9

The two passengers are going in opposite directions, so when would they ever have a chance to switch passes? Are they supposed to get off their trains and meet each other on the platform, then wait for another train? Sounds like a stupid amount of work to steal 85 cents.

The article is wrong. The two people are going the same direction on a Richmond-bound train which travels from Milbrae through Glen Park to Embarcadero and onto Berkeley.

There is also an example of doing the same thing on DC's Metrorail.

Re: A Twitter Data Scientist Hacks San Francisco's Subway Fares

#26

Post by Aloisius »

ealdent wrote: post #7
nchuhoai wrote: post #2

I like the technical ingenuity, but do we really need to hack this system? I'm not debating the legitimacy of BART's cash flows, but IMO, the distance based system is the fairest system I can think of, closely correlating usage of resources with payments

There isn't even much technical ingenuity here. I'm not sure how this is even noteworthy. You save $1 between two people? So you split it for a lousy $0.50 or maybe $100 per year? Just stop drinking lattes and you'll save that in a month. Not to mention if you live further away, you deserve to pay more to make up for the extra resources needed to move you around, as nchuhoai said.

The best route appears to save $2.05 each direction according to https://github.com/asifhaque/transit-arbitrage/blob/master/d...:

  [orinda => pittsburg] + [walnut-creek => pleasant-hill]: 2.05 (35.6522%)
  [orinda => pittsburg] + [walnut-creek => concord]: 2.05 (35.6522%)
  [orinda => pittsburg] + [pleasant-hill => concord]: 2.05 (35.6522%)
Though who knows if anyone actually takes these routes. And remember many of the places BART goes aren't exactly filled with people with large disposable incomes who can stop drinking "lattes" to make up the difference.

Re: A Twitter Data Scientist Hacks San Francisco's Subway Fares

#27

Post by oh_sigh »

kens wrote: post #22

Looks like it risks $250 fine for: (2) Misuse of a transfer, pass, ticket, or token with the intent to evade the payment of a fare. See California Penal Code 640(c)(2) http://www.sacrt.com/penalcode.stm

But neither user that swaps is attempting to evade payment of a fare - they are both paying fares at the end of their trip.

Of course, a judge would probably laugh at you and find you guilty in 15 seconds with a "logical" argument like that.

Re: A Twitter Data Scientist Hacks San Francisco's Subway Fares

#28

Post by benp84 »

krallja wrote: post #16
fakename wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hack your insurance policy by lying about your smoking!

Hack the power company by plugging your iPad into the electrical outlets on your neighbor's porch!

Hack the gas station by driving off!

Re: A Twitter Data Scientist Hacks San Francisco's Subway Fares

#29

Post by jetru »

krallja wrote: post #16
fakename wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hack your insurance policy by lying about your smoking!

Hack the power company by plugging your iPad into the electrical outlets on your neighbor's porch!

Hack your calculator. Type in 58008. Turn upside down. WHAT?!

Re: A Twitter Data Scientist Hacks San Francisco's Subway Fares

#30

Post by oh_sigh »

at-fates-hands wrote: post #18
krallja wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hack the movie theater by buying one ticket but going into two movies!

I believe the hack is buying one ticket and then going to the back door and letting in 10 of your friends.

When I was young, those crazy kids would buy two tickets and enter the theatre. Then, one person would exit with both stubs, give one to a friend waiting outside, and then repeat the process for as many friends as one had.
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