Free Transit
Complicating the Free Transit Vs. Service Debate
Pitting Washington, D.C.’s K Street Transitway against free transit oversimplifies a more complex issue.
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.
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.
U.S. Transit Agencies Face a Financial Crisis
Transit providers around the country are scrambling to find new sources of revenue to replace lagging ridership and reorienting their systems to a future less dependent on daily commuters.
Seattle Brings Free Transit to Public Housing
Linking transit programs to housing can lower administrative costs and streamline the process for riders.
Free Fares for Buses? Don’t Forget the Trains
Fare-free programs that apply to buses and not trains create a fragmented transit system and encourage more people to use slower, less efficient modes.
Connecticut Extends Free Bus Fares
Local leaders applaud the move, but are calling on the state to keep fares free permanently.
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.
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?
Kansas City Streetcar to Extend to Rockhurst
A new extension to the Kansas City Streetcar will open up the free transit line to Rockhurst University students.
Opinion: Free Transit Opposition Is Tone Deaf
Critics of free transit programs argue that free fares may not decrease driving or fight climate change. Dr. Destiny Thomas explains why that argument ‘misses the point.’
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.
Atlanta Transit Could Go Fare-Free
The city has tasked the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority with evaluating the feasibility of eliminating transit fares.
The State of America’s Free Transit Programs
Dozens of cities made public transit free during the pandemic. Can transit agencies sustain these programs?
South Carolina Town Blames Free Buses for Rise in Unhoused Population
City officials in North Myrtle Beach argue that a free transit program has led to a rise in the town’s homelessness rate.
Tucson Extends Free Transit To End of Year
After eliminating transit fares in 2020, the city of Tucson is exploring ways to fund a permanent program.
Free Transit Is Not a Silver Bullet
Cities around the country are embracing free fares to lure riders back to public transit, but the ridership recovery continues to sputter.
The Success Story of Alexandria’s Free Buses
Thanks to state and regional funding, the city eliminated fares while making service improvements.
Free Transit for San Diego Youth
The Youth Opportunity Pass program provides free transit to San Diego County youth in an effort to boost ridership and improve transportation options for young residents.
Lessons From Oakland's Universal Basic Mobility Pilot
A program that distributed prepaid, transit-only debit cards to 500 Oakland residents has been successful in shifting transportation patterns for many of its participants.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
