No Free Rides For Public Transit

Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa proposes to waive Metro fees for a week to increase ridership. L.A. Times editorial argues that the idea won't work.

1 minute read

August 1, 2006, 8:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"But free transit days haven't been free of problems or controversy. The most recent sparing of the air came during a blistering heat wave, which filled the buses and trains not only with commuters but with homeless people attracted by the air conditioning. Transit police also report a big uptick in crime and rider complaints on free days, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Trains have been vandalized, passengers on badly overcrowded cars intimidated, while rowdy teens fight and toss food containers everywhere. Not exactly the kind of atmosphere to convince commuters that taking the train is an attractive alternative to driving."

Monday, July 31, 2006 in The Los Angeles Times

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