TTC Security Theatre

Sometimes I find my giggles in plain sight. Today I picked up my subway pass for the month. The Toronto Transit Commission has added some “features” to make the cards more secure.

I find the sticker amusing as hell.

The TTC had this to say on their website on June 17…

From TTC.ca:

The Toronto Transit Commission is introducing new security features to its Metropass, Weekly Pass and GTA Weekly Pass in an effort to thwart an increase in counterfeiting, starting in July.

One of the added features is an activation sticker that must be removed before it can be used as valid fare on the TTC.

When the sticker is removed, a thin film is left behind on the pass where the sticker was located. Customers who have already received their July pass have noticed this film and have inquired about its presence and whether or not it should be removed. The film should NOT be removed. Doing so leaves a glue residue that gathers dirt and other particles which will then partially obscure the hologram that has been added to passes to prevent counterfeiting.

A hologram that is meant to prevent counterfeiting? They should really do their homework (note: The Wired story is from 2007).

As for the “activation” sticker; the card works just fine without it. Just saying.

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Posted by Dave Lewis on July 6, 2009. Filed under Security Theatre. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.