Eliminating transit fares can have benefits that ripple across a local economy and improve livelihoods.
In a commentary in the Gazette Leader, Liam Crisan argues that free public transit has proven itself as an effective way to boost ridership, improve equity, and offer better mobility and connectivity.
In Albuquerque, ridership grew by 49.4 percent in the year following the city’s decision to make all its transit routes free. “Zero fares is a direct way to put cash in the pockets of those who need it most. Most of those who use ABQ RIDE are people of color, 74 percent are low-income and 73 percent don’t have access to a car.” Other cities with fare-free pilot programs include Richmond, Virginia, Kansas City, Missouri, and Olympia, Washington.
Eliminating transit fares can also save agencies money by eliminating fare collection mechanisms and enforcement costs and contribute to economic development. According to Crisan, “Every $1 invested generates $5 in economic returns. Better funding and more ridership means more jobs and increased commercial activity. By connecting people to medical, educational, professional, and community-building resources, affordable and accessible public transit changes lives.”
FULL STORY: Commentary: Free public transit would be a win-win solution
Albuquerque Remains Committed to Free Transit
Ridership on the city’s transit system has gone up by 20 percent since they eliminated bus fares in 2022.
New York Launches Free Transit Pilot on Five Bus Lines
The lines were chosen based on the income levels, ridership, and lack of subway access in surrounding neighborhoods.
Connecticut’s Ends Fare-Free Pilot
State officials say federal requirements forced the end of a twelve-month pilot program, and that the state doesn’t have the funding to continue providing free fares with the end of federal assistance.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers
Jersey City will continue to allow co-location facilities, such as those meant for research institutions that store their own data.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association