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Re:How Memorizing “$19.05” Can Help You Outsmart the MTA by moogleii on Friday September 05, 2014 @01:42PM (#8275159)
It's free in the sense that they don't have to offer that at all. Obviously there is some kind of attempt at profit in the system on the MTA side of things. I'm not really sure how your argument would work with my unlimited card, but yes, "Hah."
Re:How Memorizing “$19.05” Can Help You Outsmart the MTA by chongli on Friday September 05, 2014 @02:53PM (#8275614)
They're not "offering" anything. They're just using clever language and math to trick people into thinking they're getting a deal.
Re:How Memorizing “$19.05” Can Help You Outsmart the MTA by moogleii on Friday September 05, 2014 @03:04PM (#8275683)
Like every other for-profit company on the planet?

There's a measurable difference between the bonus and no-bonus option, and in this case, that's 5%. That is the offer. Given the option between the two, I'll take the bonus knowing fully well in either scenario they are profiting.

AT&T's classic monthly rates factor in subsidization, and thus are substantially higher than ...whatever value you seem to be wishing that they charge - I sincerely hope not at-cost. If they offer a 5% discount, they're still profiting, but you're paying 5% less than you would have. That is something, and that is an offer.

Re:How Memorizing “$19.05” Can Help You Outsmart the MTA by chongli on Friday September 05, 2014 @05:15PM (#8276345)
There's a measurable difference between the bonus and no-bonus option, and in this case, that's 5%. That is the offer. Given the option between the two, I'll take the bonus knowing fully well in either scenario they are profiting.

You're comparing apples and oranges. Compare the 5% bonus with simply lowering the cost of fares an equivalent amount.

Re:How Memorizing “$19.05” Can Help You Outsmart the MTA by glitch003 on Friday September 05, 2014 @04:01PM (#8275976)
But unlike every other for-profit company on the planet, the MTA is a public benefit corporation.

The MTA is at least partly-funded by real-estate taxes.