Clarksville, TN - Director wants Free Transit

Smith told the gathering that he favors and has advocated for a free public transit system but that simply is not in the cards...
...With all the current talk about seeking fuel independence and increased fuel economy, there has been no mention of increased funding for public transportation in the public clamor and debate. Director Smith noted that, “public transportation is very green!” ClarksvilleOnline

New Zealand - Residents Action Movement Grows

Road toll idiocy should be rejected outright

"National and Labour are showing themselves to be political twins when it comes to transport policy. Both parties want more extravagant motorways, and to pay for them they want to inflict road tolls on city drivers," said Roger Fowler, RAM's transport spokesperson.

National MP Maurice Williamson's "exuberant" clammer for $50 a week toll charges, with support from Auckland mayor John Banks, has revealed National's real intentions: to build more roads and tunnels, and shove the cost onto road users.

Labour's transport minister Annette King fully supports road tolls. Her only quibble is that the toll might be set "so high that people won't use the road".

"This is a bit of a dilemma when you're embarking on a grand plan to spend over $7 billion on a maze of new motorways, bridges and tunnels in the Auckland region, as Labour is," said Roger Fowler.

"The push for tolls from both Labour and National flies in the face of public opinion. Aucklanders have overwhelmingly rejected road tolls in all public opinion surveys."

"Working families are already struggling to pay the bills. This toll madness will put them under intolerable pressure."

"And it's double madness because of the seriousness of the climate change threat. All our energies should be going into reducing vehicle emissions, a major contributor to global warming."

"Rather than piling idiocy on idiocy, we need immediate and bold political action on the twin problems of traffic gridlock and climate change," said Roger Fowler.

RAM's common sense solution is for government cash earmarked for motorway expansion to be diverted into funding new networks of free and frequent public transport in main cities. This move, coupled with a carbon-offset charge on airport arrivals and hotel bookings, will be a major step towards rolling back carbon pollution and tackling global warming.

This achievable and innovative action will catch the attention of other countries and could spark world-wide efforts to slash traffic congestion, oil consumption and vehicle emissions.

At the start of this month the Thai government introduced free buses and trains in Bangkok for a six month trial to help low-income earners. (More info in backgrounder below.)

"If a third world country like Thailand can afford free public transport, why can't New Zealand?" asked Roger Fowler.

Free and frequent public transport in our main cities is one of RAM's "Ten Commandments" that will be the focus of RAM's election campaign.

Backed by the enrolment of 3,000 new RAM members over the last few months, RAM is standing a substantial party list in the upcoming election as well a number of electoral candidates across the country.

For more info, contact Roger Fowler:
021 2999491
mangere.east.access@paradise.net.nz

scoop independent news

Free public transport to fight diabetes

The meeting called for measures to control obesity, including food regulations such as better labelling and a curb on the advertising and promotion of junk food.
It also recommended initiatives such as free public transport every second Monday and a lifestyle risk assessment in health checks for every four-year-old child. thestaronline

Moose Jaw, SK - free transit for a week

From Septmber 15-20, the city of Moose Jaw will be offering residents free bus service. Acting city transit supervisor, Darlene Noble, said the free bus week not only gives riders a chance to try out Moose Jaw’s new seven-piece transit fleet, but promote environmentalism as well. I say it's a good first step, but it's not enough. revolution-solution

Shanghai, China - seniors ride free

You may have noticed old people swiping a strange card in new purple lanes at subway station entrances or on the bus. This is a new "old people's card" that takes the place of the social security card that the Shanghai subway used to required senior citizens to carry in order to redeem their free rides.

Shanghai Public Transportation Blog

Also from this blog:

The new 350 km/hr high speed train between Beijing and Tianjin has been operational for one month. When it is extended to Shanghai, it will travel at up to 380 km/hr and cut travel time to/from the capital down to 4 hours. Note that the Pudong Maglev has an average speed of 430 km/hr and a theoretical top speed of 500 km/hr. http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/02/content_9758176.htm http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2008-09-03/124714397362s.shtml

Changning, China - Buses are now free

Ever wished public transportation was free?

Well, if you're in Changning City, central China's Hunan Province, your wish just came true. Starting from July 1, local residents and visitors enjoy a free ride along the city's three public transportation lines and the government has allocated 7 million yuan ($1 million) to facilitate the initiative. BeijingReview

Blog says make transit free in Illinois

...You want to get our economy moving by creating jobs, being pro-business, pro-environment and improving everyone’s quality of life? Then make Illinois public mass transit tax supported, greatly expanded and free for everyone.

...Researchers conclude that $7.3 billion is lost sitting in traffic. And if the trend continues, the figure could grow to $11.3 billion in 2030.... Wurfwhile

Bermuda - Students to ride free

The Ministry of Tourism and Transport is pleased to remind members of the public that commencing on Monday (September 8) all public transportation will be free for students.
The Ministry also took this opportunity to remind parents and students of the riding free process on Monday. Eligible students include all private, public and home school students under the age of 18. On the morning of Monday September 8, all students who are in school uniforms will be able to ride the bus or ferry for free. bdasun

Warm oceans -> anoxia -> extinction

As oceans warm, oxygen content decreases, and anaerobic bacteria increase. These bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide, deadly to many species. This is one theory for the late Permian mass extinction of ocean and land species 250 million years ago. NovaScienceNow.

Austin, TX - Free transit was a success

Between October 1989 and December 1990, the transit riders of Austin, Texas saw the elimination of fares for all forms of public transit: buses, van pools, and Special Transit Services (STS).
The move was taken on early in the new transit authority's history: the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority had been approved on January 19, 1985, and the contract to service the University of Texas (later dubbed the "UT Shuttle" system) was signed the following year. Service for the UT Shuttle started in 1989 as well.
The move was also controversial from the start. Mayor Lee Cooke and Capital Metro Chairman Stephen Bayer pushed the issue, but there was certainly dissent on the board when the free fare period began. In the 1988 budget, the board told the staff to budget fare collection for the first 3 quarters (9 months, or January-September), saving only the last quarter (October-December) for free fares. That original vote was 4-3.
The program's success was immediate. Ridership for bus service outside of UT Shuttle and STS soared by 80 percent. More Austinites were riding the bus, but there was no proportionate increase in crime outside of drunk passengers, who, if not bothering anyone, is hardly a burden on the system. The Cost per Passenger plummeted, indicating much greater system efficiency, and costs only increased in line with other years when fares were collected. It was so successful that the entire following year, 1990, was scheduled for free fares. more...