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Depends, in Orlando, the LYNX bus sytsem has a free circulator around the downtown business district. That should be free. SunRail, our commuter rail system had 2 free weeks of free service during its first 2 weeks of service this past spring. Because it is the first "train" in orlando, families and joyriders would take it from end to end while people taking it for work (the way its intended) had no room and there were major delays of the system because of these joyriders. The fares help cut back on the amount of joyriders.
There is a free shuttle on the 16th St. Mall in Denver, but that is only 1.4 miles. It also connects to some Light Rail stations. LR is NOT free. RTD
Definitely not. During the short time the seniors ride free law in Illinois applied to all seniors(boo to Blagojevich even signing that into law in the first place!), the CTA and other public transit providers lost a lot of fare revenue money because of this issue. It was thankfully finally amended a few years ago, to reduce this benefit to just low income seniors, and that all others have to pay half fare when riding public transit.
I don't think providing free fare transit for all riders would be sustainable, for any public transit providers to do. If public transit providers want to provide limited free shuttles(or one of 2 free bus routes), I'm not against that.
Not free, but well connected and efficient for metro area residents. I don't own a car at my current location, and cant really go that far with public transit . Atlanta is expanding though, and I hope commuter rail to Athens comes soon.
People who do not drive are greatly benefited by roads though. Emergency vehicles travel on them, shipments come by truck to the stores where they shop, etc. Road use in one form or another is pretty necessary for the functioning of the modern world. Public transportation is not.
we live in a generation that has been taught to expect everything for free.
its a pity that it is fleeting.
This sadly may be true. I am a Senior Citizen who has used public transportation in three different cities all my life because I have never driven a car. I have always paid my way.
How else can any private or public entity afford to keep a public transportation system running? I wonder how the OP would propose the cost services given by public transportation be paid for if they were free? Gas, upkeep of vehicles and all other equipment involved costs money. Who would pay for those things?
not sure the best route and to me PT should not be free in the first place Like all forms of infrastructure it gets paid for one way or another. To me PT should have in general regardless
You mean all those taxes I have been paying for road upkeep all these years have been a big mistake?
This sadly may be true. I am a Senior Citizen who has used public transportation in three different cities all my life because I have never driven a car. I have always paid my way.
How else can any private or public entity afford to keep a public transportation system running? I wonder how the OP would propose the cost services given by public transportation be paid for if they were free? Gas, upkeep of vehicles and all other equipment involved costs money. Who would pay for those things?
The taxpayers. But that won't work if the taxpayers have to vote for every tax increase and they turn the "free transportation tax" down at the polls.
No. In Miami we have the Metromover which is free, and the issue is the homeless people want to hop on it and sleep or hang out. Security has to boot them off when they catch them.
Homeless people do this in the NYC subways too despite the $2.38 fee. Nominal fees aren't enough of a disincentive.
People who do not drive are greatly benefited by roads though. Emergency vehicles travel on them, shipments come by truck to the stores where they shop, etc. Road use in one form or another is pretty necessary for the functioning of the modern world. Public transportation is not.
People who do not take public transportation are greatly benefited by it though. Less traffic congestion, less pollution, and less health care costs (cities with extensive public transit have significantly lower obesity rates).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minervah
This sadly may be true. I am a Senior Citizen who has used public transportation in three different cities all my life because I have never driven a car. I have always paid my way.
How else can any private or public entity afford to keep a public transportation system running? I wonder how the OP would propose the cost services given by public transportation be paid for if they were free? Gas, upkeep of vehicles and all other equipment involved costs money. Who would pay for those things?
Irrelevant. Public transit isn't a market; it is infrastructure. The residuals of public transit far outweigh the operating costs. The OP's proposal is to just completely fund public transit out of the general fund.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minervah
You mean all those taxes I have been paying for road upkeep all these years have been a big mistake?
Where do I go for my refund?
All the taxes you pay for road keep never paid the entire costs. Driving is highly subsidized (to the tune of roughly 50%). It is also a net drain on society with low residuals compared to public transit.
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. Atlanta is expanding though, and I hope commuter rail to Athens comes soon.
