The student poverty card project ran over three stages:
1: The campaign
A PR campaign was set up in order to have students at the University of East London sign up for a student poverty card and agree to document their experiences for the period of one week.
2: The action
For one week the students used the card on the Docklands Light Railway and the Underground to get to and from the university for free. The card stated their names, had a photograph on it, was dated and claimed that it granted the students free transportation. The card proved successful and students were able to ride for free for the week. But at the end of the week the word had spread and a warning was issued to the ticket controllers. Finally one student got arrested despite having a valid “backup” ticket. The London Transport Police was called in and he attempted to explain to the officer that he had a valid ticket and the Student Poverty Card was a device in order to raise debates about transport prices in the city. Nevertheless the officer arrested him and took him to a station where he was detained for five hours, had his finger prints and picture taken and was questioned once again. The student was shaken, but more convinced than ever that something was deeply wrong in the way the public transport system is run in London.
3: The party (aftermath)
Documentation was gathered and everyone participating, plus any other interested people, were invited to some drinks and talk about the project at the University of East London.
