Opinion: Improving Transit More Important Than Free Fares

In an article from The Conversation republished on Route Fifty, Nicholas Dagen Bloom, author of The Great American Transit Disaster, argues against eliminating transit fares at the expense of improving service. 

“Despite flashing warning signs, political support for public transit remains weak, especially among conservatives. So it’s not clear that relying on government to make up for free fares is sustainable or a priority.” Meanwhile, “Free public transit that doesn’t bankrupt agencies would require a revolution in transit funding.” Dagen Bloom points out, “Studies also show that transit riders are likely to prefer better, low-cost service to free rides on the substandard options that exist in much of the U.S.”

For Dagen Bloom, income-based discounts such as ‘fair fare’ programs and fare integration offer better models. “As ridership grows under Fair Fares and fare integration, I expect that additional revenue will help build better service, attracting more riders. Increasing ridership while supporting agency budgets will help make the political case for deeper public investments in service and equipment. A virtuous circle could develop.”