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Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020

Have trials of free urban public transit proved worthwhile?

Allegra Taylor, Gigafact Foundry
no

Fare-free policies allow transit agencies to cut operating costs associated with collecting fares as well as increase ridership.

Trials in Denver and Trenton, New Jersey, increased ridership by between 25% and 48%, but resulted in overcrowding, less reliable service and driver complaints. Officials concluded that a lowered fare would still increase ridership while lessening side effects.

For large transit systems, fares make up a significant portion of their revenue–for instance, 52% of the Washington Metro's 2017 operating costs. Austin, Texas, conducted a fare-free experiment in 1989-1990. The system faced an increase in disruptive riders and vandalism, which increased security and maintenance costs. Officials said the cost of operating the system was “staggering.”

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