Why Free Public Transportation Is a Bad Idea

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#publictransport #economy #cities

[dorianodet]

One huge part that you missed, when you transfert the cost of public transport from fare to local taxes, you also save on all the expensive measure you use to control that people actually pay their fare. No more ticket machine that need maintenance, no more controler ...

[yousseph]

My personal experience: Because of the economic fallout of the pandemic, I lost my job. A friend was able to offer me work at a factory. Public transport was vital and free public transport was very helpful throughout that transitional period. Mirco example

[arthurpizza]

The classic "fixing one issue of an overall problem doesn't fix everything so we should fix NOTHING." Very cool.

[mortuusvenenum]

I think free public transport can be a good measure when combined with other policies like less roads and parking spaces for cars and better bike & walking infrastructure since the combination would on one hand make it more attractive to use the public transport and on the other harder to use a car in cities. Such combinations would allow for better air quality and more greenspaces while keeping congestion outside the city (if done right and there being a transportation system capable of handling the influx and reaching near people’s homes)

[mikatu]

Public transport for free is a GREAT IDEA, not a bad idea. Of course that in extremely expensive countries with an already congested network, like in Switzerland, it is not a good idea because there is no more room to add more people, but in other countries, like Netherlands and Luxembourg it is a great idea. Even Portugal created it for senior citizens and its a success so far.
You see, in Switzerland people already use public transport heavily therefore there is no incentive to use it even more, since the system is at breaking point as-is. But in other countries it can incentivate its usage.

[midnightflare]

Honestlly, I don't mind big cities asking you to pay, especially is there are a boatload of tourists there, but as far as rural transport goes...yeah, just make it free. I live in the countryside, and most bus lines make less money than the cost of operating a ticketing machine aboard (yes, most people here still buy printed tickets from a cash register, it's a village). But it is important, because it lets people work in nearby cities for a huge pay increase, and kids can go to better schools. So I would argue rural public transit, such as intercity bus and train ride (excluding high speed lines) should be free.

[FINEYOUBABYGIRL]

I think the lesson is quality and convenience matter most. That’s why in places like Hong Kong and Singapore public transit is a wild success that almost pays for itself

[jacksonp]

An important long-term benefit you missed is that convenient public transport---low fares, high frequency, dedicated infrastructure, and a large, well-connected network---affects development patterns. Particularly in the way development natural concentrates along transit corridors. This transit-oriented development (TOD) is dense and walkable which also in turn maximizes the positive externalities of transit and decreases car-dependency, ensuring that a low-income person has access to necessary amenities if they cannot afford a car/gas

[chillaxter]

If you want me to use public transit, it has to be better than driving.
It must cost less, be extensive (to everywhere I want to end up), be easily understandable, take a similar amount of time and effort. It must be VERY safe, extremely reliable, operate 24/7, and involve minimal walking. It should also offer a degree of privacy during transport.
Other than cost, I get all of those in my car... Can you say the same about public transport? Genuinely asking

[Sparticulous]

Free transportation is equilivant to all the free parking and free highways but can move more people. It will also increase business sales in downtowns by 10%. It can also be not as bad as bulldozing 20% of prime properties for free parking lots. And making the streets more hostile to local shopping.

[cosmic_jon]

Transportation is an equalizer, like education. It helps to achieve equality of opportunities. This is why it should be free and high quality for all.

[akmalhafiz]

Free public transportation? Yeah, the service is going to be a nightmare.

[DanielFildan]

From the title i was scarred that it will be some sort of "public transit should make money" video but i was pleasantly surprised, you made very good points and sourced them too, and i agree witht he conclusion rhat money is only a part of the problem, the main things are quality of service and intervals intervals intervals. Here most buses run on a 10-15min interval, some trams even at 5-7min and metro on 1.5min in peak hours, i cant even imagine having one bus coming thru every hour with no alternatives

[nayanghurade]

You are correct. I live in India where the public transport is heavily subsidized due to which the adoption of new technology like electric buses and trains becomes difficult, because they need government funding to do it. In the end it reduces the interest of middle class and upper middle class to travel in these vehicle which increases traffic on the road due to private vehicle

[markonm]

I live in Warsaw and we have ticket for all kind of public tranport in entire city for 50PLN for students and 100PLN for adults. It can be cheaoer if you buy 3 month ticket or longer. I ve never needed driving license. From my peers, those who have driving license are usually those who grew up in different, smaller cities.

[annonymeandfish]

Metro in Montreal is 4, 75$
Ticket for jumping the fence is 230$

Got 2 of those… not planing on paying them, not if I don’t get a big raise! Good luck collecting money I don’t have!

[oisindowling]

I think what the issue with this debate is that it usually only ever focuses on the supply side of travel but not the demand. If your town is zoned so that there is residential, commercial and industrial zones, there will be much larger demand to drive/take public transport than a town where all of your needs are a 15-minute walk away. Pushing work-from-home and hiring local would slash demand. Furthermore, as I believe your video shows, it’s hard to reduce car usage indirectly as it’s simply very convenient for most people. To reduce usage it must be dealt with directly through taxes or subsidies. Considering most cars lie idle 22 hours a day and most cars have empty seats when operational, the space cars take up is mostly waste. Community cars that use ride-share organisation would probably be the most direct way to tackle congestion both in traffic and in parking.

[samuelfeder]

Not all spending leads to inflation!
It depends on what is bought. If the good bought has a lot of positive externalities like for example vaccines (or public transport) it can decrease inflation.
This happens whenever a good provides/frees up more resources than it consumes/locks down.

[BsBsBock]

People don’t take care about public property

[ericbruun]

you were doing well until you said that making transit free could cause inflation. Most of the USA and UK outside of a few metro areas are in deflation with people in debt and little pocket money. Putting more money in pockets will stimulate local businesses.