On 01-Mar-12 14:59, Adam H. Kerman wrote:
Stephen Sprunk wrote:
Also note that many consumers today have _valid_ cards with little/no
available credit, so it's not sufficient anyway if a merchant wants to
ensure their transaction will be accepted.

No one would care on suburban/commuter railway, since the discussion
drifted back on topic, where the only concern is if fare collection in
aggregate is improved and cost of fare collection is lowered.

How long do you think it would take enterprising folks to figure out
that a $5 prepaid card from the convenience store will allow them to
ride _forever_?

Somehow, I doubt that "no one would care" about a vulnerability so large
you could drive an entire fleet of trains through it.

In intercity train travel, well, you assume that the traveler has
available credit, as it's difficult to travel without credit cards.

It may come as a surprise to some, but many people have more than one card.

S

--
Stephen Sprunk "God does not play dice." --Albert Einstein
CCIE #3723 "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the
K5SSS dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking