People love #freepublictransport in Dunkirk, France

In September 2018, the French city of Dunkirk, with a population of just over 90,000, and a total of 257,000 in its metropolitan area, launched a free bus system for residents and visitors, since when it has succeeded in drastically reducing private car use.

An academic study on the experience shows that bus use has skyrocketed more than 60% on weekdays and more than doubled on weekends, with 48% of users saying they now leave their cars at home. Furthermore, 5% of those surveyed said they have sold their car or decided not to purchase a second vehicle. A third said that the availability of free buses means they now make trips they wouldn’t have otherwise. This increased demand is not due solely to the availability of free and convenient transportation, but also to the fact that it is frictionless: people don’t have to worry about travel cards, cash or identification.

https://medium.com/enrique-dans/is-free-public-transport-in-cities-the-way-forward-d81662dfbd5c 

Problems solved by having more and better public transportation

There are numerous reasons why access to public transport should be encouraged. For every $1 invested in public transport, around $4 of economic returns is generated, while a $10 million investment in public transport generates $30 million in increased business sales. People are also safer traveling on public transport, with accident risk reduced by 90% versus private transport. From an environmental perspective, public transport already saves the US 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline each year, and 37 million metric tons of carbon. As buses emit 20% less carbon monoxide and 25% fewer nitrogen oxides per passenger mile versus single-occupancy cars, public transport is also better for public health.

https://www.archdaily.com/932193/should-cities-make-public-transport-free 

Free public transit is a public good

But, ultimately, the argument for free public transit is simple: it’s a vital public good. Like education, libraries, and parks, it serves the common good and not just individual desire. 

As we explained in our new, “pro-public” vision for 2020, we all benefit from things like public transit regardless of whether we use them or not. 

As Wojciech Kębłowski, a post-doctoral researcher at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, writes “You don’t have to insert coins to light an individual lamp posts on your way home at night, or pay for every minute spent in a park or library.” 

Dionisia Ramos, a 55-year-old living on unemployment while going to school in Lawrence, put it even more directly, telling the Times: “Transportation should be free. It’s a basic need. It’s not a luxury.”

http://www.inthepublicinterest.org/public-transit-should-be-free-because-its-a-public-good/ 

Concordia Newspaper makes the case for fare-free public transportation

On Tuesday, several climate groups held a protest to promote the elimination of transit fares, citing the need for radical action in the fight against climate change. 

Bold action and unprecedented public investment are necessary to limit catastrophic global warming, but the reasons this proposal makes sense go beyond climate considerations. 

As the organizers noted, free public transport would also have the effect of reducing income inequality, a major issue of our time. Not only this, but it would eliminate the need for problematic fare policing and promote more liveable cities by taking cars off the road.

thelinknewspaper.ca 

Cities can no longer ignore the benefits of free public transit - Metro Magazine

There are many benefits of switching to a fare-free service. In addition to the significant ridership increases and more efficient operations by reducing dwell times, other benefits include: a significant drop in funding subsidy per passenger; reduction in administrative expenses related to fare collection; community recognition and pride; increased support from bus operators; and most importantly, going fare-free makes transit service equally available to everyone regardless of income.

https://www.metro-magazine.com/blogpost/735928/there-are-too-many-benefits-linked-to-free-fares-for-transit-to-ignore 

Paris saving money while fighting pollution with #freepublictransport

The corporate media is being sure to remind everyone that free public transport in Paris is costing 4 million US dollars per day. But let's look at both sides, cost and benefit.

First of all, where does the $4 million go? It stays in the pockets of the people of Paris. They will spend it and it will trickle through the economy. So is it really lost in the first place?

Second. Green-house gas emission are being reduced by many tons without adding any solar panels.

Third. How much petrol and diesel is not being sold? Doesn't that mean downward pressure on price?

Fourth. How much more time do people have with the reduction in traffic congestion.

Fifth. How many lives saved?

There are many more considerations. See links below.

• Proof that fare-free is cheaper, with numbers.
• Externalities - hidden costs of the auto and sprawl system
• Autosprawl Welfare - a whole blog with data on money wasted to support cars

Why #freetransit is better than money in the bank

Carbon tax, cap and trade, cap and dividend.... these along with many other "solutions" for energy and climate are not as good as free public transit which:

• provides local jobs
• is transparent - can't be stolen by banksters
• gives immediate relief from autosprawl externalities
• connects jobless to jobs

Must Read: Passionate defense of Whidbey Island free buses

...Even if Island Transit said right now that they wanted to charge fares, they couldn't afford to implement it without a major cash infusion. If people are this ticked about this tiny amount, how would they feel about them asking for much more? Having money on a bus increases security risks, increases delays (and believe me, people will go NUTS over even a three-minute delay - just absolutely NUTS), and charging fares also causes increased costs not only in equipment, but also in administrative personnel. I think it will drop ridership some, but not to the degree it has been projected.
Even still, the small amount the fare would raise would be negligible, and I have reviewed the facts and figures provided and done some of my own research. It might, in a few years, might help Island Transit break even. It will never bring them extra funds. This is a service to us, it isn’t done to make anyone money.... Letter to the Editor - South Whidbey Record