Still valid tickets - a real life p2p network

An art concept to recapture public spaces, restricted by admission prices. What about building a bracket system, where we can share our bought tickets for the underground, museums or parking spaces. So we all would have to pay less. This extends our possibilities in public space. The idea is simple: after using your ticket, stick it to a bracket instead of throwing it to the refuse bin. If you have to buy a ticket, instead, take the ticket, archived by someone else.

Step 1 Brackets are the "servers"

These selfmade brackets could be attached to every ticket selling automat. They hold someone's used ticket, which is still valid. Take it!

Comments

[building_boy]

nice idea but it might start to make problems.

[schimmi]

this needs a website that would post information on where the tickets are located, kind of like geocaching, but you would need to hide the tickets in places where people wouldn't find them unless looking for them.

[mrmath]

Most tickets I've purchased for a metro-type ride are either surrendered or canceled. Those that haven't been, such as my weekly or monthly passes for Atlanta's MARTA (pre-Breeze) were specifically marked "NON-TRANSFERABLE". While it's a great idea, and does save money, the "authorities" would certainly take a dim view of it, and would remove any clips that they came across.

[pmac93]

I agree with you, I think the police would notice the clips and notice that the same tickets were coming up more than once on the system.

[lemonie]

Last time I was in London there were 'characters' asking for tickets at tube stations. I presume they would then re-sell these. Same principle, but someone is making a measure of a living out of the system. This is what will happen. You could just offer your ticket to incoming passengers on your way out (as often happens in some UK car-parks)

[mothflavour2]

That would be nice if that existed on the transit system here in Vancouver. Too bad the transit cops here have enough power that transferring tickets can constitute fines (up to $176 per incidence), or if one were to start something like this up there, arrest. Cool idea anyway.

[akimbo m]

Same in Victoria Australia... Connex...

[Stikk]

Is it just me or is this system somewhat flawed? I get the concept, but the design shows one major weakness.. The little clip things ("brackets") that are mentioned are supposedly put on the machine where you buy the tickets. Thats great if you wanna pick one up, but when you're chucking your old ticket out, you're in the wrong place! See what i mean? Also, i forsee a problem in that every time the macines are emptied of change (which is quite frequently) they would probably just pull these brackets off.. Nice idea, i just dont really think it will work in practice..

[Markus. K.]

OK. That's right. Let's think about attaching the brakets to the exit, where people walk by, while they the leave the stations. I see, that I will be the greater problem to motivate people in attaching their tickets to the bracket, than to motivate people to save money by using the still valid ones. Though, I think ,the automates are a perfect place for people to get introduced to the bracket system, because I wonder, if one would see the brackets if they were attached anywhere (e.g. between graffiti). People woundn't notice, I'm afraight of. Thanks.

[Ogio]

A way around the two good points that stikk stated, is to post the clip in a public bulletin board nearby, coffee shop, metal sign or pole. This resolved the transit police/employees from removing the clips for it is not part of there normal work patrol/route. Also, this places the clip in an accessible area before the transit entrance. (entrances/exits on the street surface are usually together) On a different point, public transit/event should not be passively supported by the silent vote of our fare/money. This only encourages powerful motivation to make a profit in transit. Instead we should support public transit/event through activation at city committees and hearing. Only through activism will the politics follow and obey the will of the people!

[Markus. K.]

Thanks a lot! Yes I was conscious about this problems, when I had this idea. But at the moment I'm just thinking, what would happen, if we all would attach masses of the brakets to the automates. So at first the system would have to be established particulry at the automates. Then, if the brackets are removed very fast, we could think about attaching them to the exits or cafes next to the automates. And your second point I like at lot! It's right, I think to that public transportation should be a common good for everyone. And this means, it should not depend on your money, how often you could use it. (In this consideration the existing idea of having a first and second class in trains is absolute inappropriate). So let's see what happens...

[nak]

Win

[jeffreyf]

I think it's a great idea. I remember being amazed that a similar informal system operated outside of the Museum of Natural History in New York. They have these little metal lapel clips, and people would leave them on the curb near the building entrance. Generally, I believe in paying for admission to such places, but in this specific case I had 20 minutes to kill before I met someone, and admission was something like 10-20 dollars, which I never would have a paid for the 20 minute wait. Thanks to the system, however, I took a lapel pin, wandered around for a bit, gave them a $5 dollar donation, and 20 minutes later, dropped the pin back where I found it. I felt very people-positive that day.

[crapflinger]

i love the idea...and i'm sure it would be GREAT...but those greedy people who operate those contraptions would probably crack down on it pretty quick...and might even be able to sue you for "defecement of private property" for sticking the thing on their devices...but still...would safe a butt load of money