Fare-Free Transit

Close-up from back of blue and white New York City bus

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.

October 11, 2023 - El Pais

Interior of busy city bus with people standing, holding on to top bar.

New York MTA Makes Five Bus Routes Fare-Free

The state-funded effort is a way to assess how free fares impact ridership.

September 27, 2023 - Urbanize New York

White and green Rhode Island Public Transit Agency bus

Rhode Island Ends Free Transit Program

The state’s public transit agency cited cost overruns and a looming ‘fiscal cliff.’

August 14, 2023 - The Center Square

Passengers lined up to board city bus in Washington, D.C. to Dulles Airport

Complicating the Free Transit Vs. Service Debate

Pitting Washington, D.C.’s K Street Transitway against free transit oversimplifies a more complex issue.

May 15, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

A proposed cross section of a center-running, protected bus lane.

D.C. Fare-Free Transit Program Could Come at the Expense of the K Street Transitway

When presented with a choice between investing in improved service or funding a fare-free program, the D.C. Council is choosing fare-free transit, and potentially overriding the wishes of the mayor.

May 2, 2023 - The Washington Post

CTtransit bus driving through snowy street in Norwalk, Connecticut

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.

April 20, 2023 - Connecticut Public Radio

Portland Transit

Opinion: Improving Transit More Important Than Free Fares

More investments in high-quality transit service coupled with income-based discounts could offer a better way to boost ridership and help low-income riders.

April 18, 2023 - Route Fifty

Close-up view of empty bus from behind seat. Seats have blue upholstery

Opinion: Free Fares Won’t Solve the Transit Crisis

“The biggest US transit agencies must be allowed to simply focus on delivering high-quality service. There is no Plan B.”

March 29, 2023 - Vox

Seattle buses in line at a depot with Seattle skyline in background

Seattle Brings Free Transit to Public Housing

Linking transit programs to housing can lower administrative costs and streamline the process for riders.

January 31, 2023 - Route Fifty

two riders wearing masks during the covid-19 pandemic exit a blue city bus in the Bronx in New York City.

Can New York Legislators Make Buses Free While Improving Service?

A pair of state legislators hope to make buses free while improving service levels on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) bus system in New York City. The effort will require a new level of political will for transit.

December 19, 2022 - AMNY

Kansas City Bus

Free Transit, But at What Cost?

Opinion: The movement toward fare-free transit might have more to do with optics and politics than planning.

December 14, 2022 - James Brasuell

Blue CT Transit bus in Hartford, Connecticut with state capitol building in background

Connecticut Extends Free Bus Fares

Local leaders applaud the move, but are calling on the state to keep fares free permanently.

December 5, 2022 - Mass Transit

Metro Bus

Free Rides, Overnight Service Considered for Metro Transit in D.C.

Washington, D.C. councilmembers are making a bold commitment to public transit.

December 2, 2022 - The Washington Post

Bus stop in Boulder, Colorado with snowy tree and snowy mountains in background

Colorado Free Transit Program Boosted Ridership

Many local transit agencies that took advantage of a state program that funded free fares throughout August have seen increased ridership even beyond the program’s end.

December 1, 2022 - The Colorado Sun

Kansas City electric streetcar

The Limits of Kansas City’s Fare-Free Experiment

For the Missouri city, the economic and social benefits of eliminating transit fares outweigh the costs, but can their success be replicated in bigger cities more dependent on farebox revenue?

December 1, 2022 - Governing

Cincinnati Multi-Modalism

Cincinnati Streetcar Sets Monthly Ridership Record

The Cincinnati Streetcar, now known as the Cincinnati Connector, has come so far.

November 13, 2022 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Cashless fare validator on bus with blue seat upholstery

Study: In Lieu of Free Fares, Transit Needs a Cash Option

Many of the riders who rely on public transit the most are also least likely to be able to use cashless fare systems.

October 5, 2022 - Newswise

Sound Transit Seattle

Free Transit Starts September 1 for Seattle Youth

Sound Transit is launching a fare-free program for young riders in the hopes of educating and recruiting future riders and making schools and jobs more accessible to transit-dependent youth.

August 12, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

MARTA Station

Atlanta Transit Could Go Fare-Free

The city has tasked the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority with evaluating the feasibility of eliminating transit fares.

August 5, 2022 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Red Albuquerque bus with man boarding

The State of America’s Free Transit Programs

Dozens of cities made public transit free during the pandemic. Can transit agencies sustain these programs?

July 25, 2022 - Diana Ionescu

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.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

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