Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
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Re: Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
#2HEET turnstiles?
Re: Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
#3Fare dodging of 3% isn't that much, and shouldn't be characterised as "winning". You could spend a lot of money to reduce it to 2% or maybe 1%, but is it really worth it economically? Reducing it by 1% will net you $12M, but to get that you need to train up existing employees, hire new ones, and build more infrastructure.
The fare-dodging organisation is an interesting one, but it's worth mentioning that it's net monetary gain each month is enough for a single employee equivalent (on an average wage), with no overheads or other costs. It is interesting that it's profitable, but it's not like the money is pouring in.
Edit: For comparison, fare evasion here in Melbourne hit a 5-year low point at 9% back in January.
Re: Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
#4"reasoning that scofflaws might graduate to more serious crimes if left alone." Really, is there any evidence of that? Or do they think that people will get bored with it, and start on harder crimes?
I was disappointed that the article didn't really discuss WHY they are doing it, other than as some sort of “collective fare strike,” and the system should be free. But if it is free, then who will pay for it? It isn't like the fares are that outrageous.
Re: Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
#5If I were the Stockholm public transit company, I'd get my employees to join Planka, get fined every day, and send the bill to Planka. Let's see how they like being on the receiving end of fraud for a change.
Re: Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
#6Clearly the fines are too low. Tripling the fines would defeat the economics of the freeloaders little group:
Last year, the group took in more than twice as much money — more than $7,500 per month — as it paid out in fines, organizers said.
Triple their fine costs, and the group is suddenly no longer economical. No investment in infrastructure needed.
Re: Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
#7"reasoning that scofflaws might graduate to more serious crimes if left alone." Really, is there any evidence of that? Or do they think that people will get bored with it, and start on harder crimes? I was disappointed that the article didn't really discuss WHY they are doing it, other than as some sort of “collective fare strike,” and the system should be free. But if it is free, then who will pay for it? It isn't l…
the article didn't really discuss WHY they are doing it, other than as some sort of “collective fare strike,” and the system should be free. But if it is free, then who will pay for it?
From the article, "The transit system should be financed through taxes, they said, ensuring that a greater share comes from affluent residents and drivers."
Re: Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
#8A somewhat off-topic but honest question: why is it that the NYT gets a free pass when it comes to linking pay-walled sites?
Others would get ignored, not upvoted, flagged or at least come with a clear warning label in the title.
Linking to pay-walled content without warning is generally considered bad form on open discussion platforms.
Re: Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
#9Being able to pay the fare really is an issue for poor people. Every time I've seen MUNI or VTA (Santa Clara County) agents checking for fare evasion, the perpetrators are invariably poor, homeless, look like they are mentally ill, etc. Good luck collecting those fines.
Re: Fare Dodging Is an Organized Rebellion in Stockholm, and It’s Winning
#10Clearly the fines are too low. Tripling the fines would defeat the economics of the freeloaders little group: Last year, the group took in more than twice as much money — more than $7,500 per month — as it paid out in fines, organizers said. Triple their fine costs, and the group is suddenly no longer economical. No investment in infrastructure needed.
Triple the fines, and the poorer people who may have paid up before won't be able to anymore. It's a delicate balance; otherwise it would be too easy ("just make the fines $10 000")