On: How Memorizing “$19.05” Can Help You Outsmart the MTA

[jacobbudin]

The author doesn't seem to realize the MTA has tried and failed to get rid of the bonus. The only reason the bonus still exists is because of political pressure. Therefore, it's unlikely a "dark pattern" by a nefarious public agency that the people need to "outsmart".

As another commented mentioned, it's about charging a full dollar amount (after $1 new card fee) for people paying with cash.

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/16/nyregion/mta-chief-signals... http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/nyregion/mta-may-eliminate...

[masklinn → jacobbudin]

> Therefore, it's unlikely a "dark pattern" by a nefarious public agency that the people need to "outsmart".

Sounds like bull. They could trivially offer whole-fare counts and give whatever price that represents with a "you save $x" note.

[fnordfnordfnord → masklinn]

That sounds like something that would require internal coordination between departments at the MTA, and is therefore not trivial. I wish it was /s.