Fare-Free Transit

A lack of access to affordable and reliable transit is being cited as a major reason why many college students don't finish school.

December 15, 2021 - The Washington Post

The pro-transit mayor of Boston is proposing fare-free transit on some of the city's most heavily used bus routes.

November 26, 2021 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

Transit advocates worry that the movement to eliminate fares will come at a high cost to transit-dependent riders who rely on frequent, reliable service to reach jobs and services.

November 19, 2021 - The Washington Post

The San Diego Association of Governments has proposed a mileage fee as part of its plan to modernize transportation and encourage public transit use as California aims to reduce carbon emissions and eliminate fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

November 2, 2021 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

With buses as a dominant transport mode for low-income households and "essential workers," free fares would increase access to economic opportunities and free up limited income for cash-strapped commuters.

October 12, 2021 - NextCity

Albuquerque will become one of the largest cities in the nation to launch a fare-free pilot program for transit riders.

September 23, 2021 - Albuquerque Journal

Free transit would reduce boarding times and improve working conditions for bus drivers, the 'frontline workers' responsible for fare collection and enforcement.

September 14, 2021 - NextCity

According to the Federal Transit Administration, transit ridership is up dramatically from 2020 levels.

August 3, 2021 - Transportation Today News

The pandemic has provided a proving ground for fare-free transit in cities all over the country. For some cities, it might make fiscal sense for these experiments to be made permanent.

July 26, 2021 - Governing

Philadelphia's student passes cut off at 8 p.m. and don't include weekends, but expanding the free fare program could help SEPTA rebuild ridership and create lifelong transit users.

July 23, 2021 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

With many U.S. transit agencies facing severe gaps in service and budget shortfalls, some advocates argue that improved service matters more than free fares.

June 9, 2021 - Slate

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors has approved a program that would eliminate fares for students and low-income riders, but the program's future rests on finding sustainable funding sources.

June 6, 2021 - LAist

State funding approved in early 2020 and Covid-related service changes are allowing multiple localities to consider a drastic move for public transit: permanent, fare-free bus service.

April 9, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

The city of Boston will undertake an experiment about how to center public transit as an economic recovery tool.

April 1, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will let low-income residents and K-12 students ride for free starting in January 2022.

March 4, 2021 - LAist

According to Columbus officials, transit ridership to and from downtown doubled in the years since the city implemented a free transit pass program.

November 19, 2020 - Intelligent Transport

The city of Paris is taking another step to entice more people out of cars and onto transit.

September 7, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

New legislation by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) would also target fare enforcement on the nation's transit systems.

July 6, 2020 - Curbed

On March 1, Luxembourg will be the first country in the world to make all its public transit free to ride.

February 25, 2020 - Tom Scott on YouTube

The program would allow transit agencies throughout the state to eliminate or reduce fares.

February 18, 2020 - Greater Greater Washington