Maybe your city is different. But in my city, you have to use these RFID fare cards that have a unique number to identify it. Every time you use it, the location and time is logged. You can only buy these fare cards at designated places, which has a camera pointing directly at your face. Now, idk if they have facial recognition, but even if it doesn't, all it takes is a human to link the card to your identity once, and your travels, past and future is accessible.

"Why don't you just use a new one every time?" you might ask. Good question.

Each of these fare cards costs around $5, so it's not very cost efficient to discard them for a little privacy. Plus, all that ewaste.

They actually let you have that $5 that it cost to buy the card to be added to your balance, but you have to register it on their website using your full name, email, phone number, and address. I never tried a vpn, but I suspect they block vpns, if they haven't, they will likely do so in the near future.

Or you could choose to not register it, and lose out on the $5. But again, all it takes is one security guard thinking you look suspicious, and roll back the CCTV footage, and put the image of your face onto your fare card records. They don't need to use some advanced facial recognition AI, just some human to save your face and connect it with your fare card identifier.

There is still a little privacy left: you can still use cash for buses (cash option is for buses only, no cash option for the subway), but soon, they'll be removing that option.

If your city doesn't already do this, they will soon.

The future will have no privacy, you can't escape it. (Unless you live in the woods somewhere)