Curbed Atlanta Poll: Should Atlanta, like other cities, make mass transit free? (university, income)

[seussie]

The poll options on Curbed's webpage are atrocious. For example the only rational they give for "No" is "No. Could you imagine how crowded and messy MARTA trains and buses would be if anyone could hop on at any time?" I'm questioning the point of this article since the writer makes it abundantly clear fare-free transit's nowhere in the horizon. Since Atlanta likes to toss out study over study over study over decades, this is pretty much a useless point to spend attention on except for transit enthusiasts and workers.

At the end of the day, something does not sit well with me at all about free-fare coming after many of its riders are pushed into the metro areas while more affluent folk whose choices are wide get the buffet option menu.

Deep down, I believe free transit is good for the working class (and of course everyone, but especially the working class); but since I haven't seen that operate at all in robust transit options with my years in Europe, I'm more willing to chalk this idea up to misdirected political attention. I see no way that MARTA would be willing to go out on a political limb like that in our current political climate nor do I see any business willing to try something like this out only to reverse their decision.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by seussie

The poll options on Curbed's webpage are atrocious. For example the only rational they give for "No" is "No. Could you imagine how crowded and messy MARTA trains and buses would be if anyone could hop on at any time?" I'm questioning the point of this article since the writer makes it abundantly clear fare-free transit's nowhere in the horizon. Since Atlanta likes to toss out study over study over study over decades, this is pretty much a useless point to spend attention on except for transit enthusiasts and workers.

At the end of the day, something does not sit well with me at all about free-fare coming after many of its riders are pushed into the metro areas while more affluent folk whose choices are wide get the buffet option menu.

Deep down, I believe free transit is good for the working class (and of course everyone, but especially the working class); but since I haven't seen that operate at all in robust transit options with my years in Europe, I'm more willing to chalk this idea up to misdirected political attention. I see no way that MARTA would be willing to go out on a political limb like that in our current political climate nor do I see any business willing to try something like this out only to reverse their decision.

Are there any examples of fare-free robust transit systems in the world?

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by evannole

This is utter silliness. I am about as liberal as they come, and am very supportive of the idea of expanded transit, but this is in no way practical.

MARTA is already underfunded - so people want to take away one of its principal funding sources and simultaneously give it away, which will surely lead to at least a marginal increase in ridership? How's that going to work?

It won't, and this push should be thrown to the trash heap.

[ATLTJL]

It's not a babysitting service

Neither is the street, but what to do about the homeless is a pretty deep rabbit hole.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Are there any examples of fare-free robust transit systems in the world?

Well we'll see what happens in Kansas City.

[bu2]

https://www.aaronrenn.com/2019/09/10...hey-will-come/

Discussion about it happening in KC. Note that fares are less than 8% of their revenues.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/enrique.../#7288ecdaa00e

Discussion about trends in Europe:
"...Dunkirk joins Tallinn, in Estonia, Luxembourg and 23 smaller French cities in rolling out free transportation in what is clearly a trend in reinterpreting the idea of cities as a service, while the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has also been thinking about the idea for some time to help tackle the French capital’s worsening congestion and pollution, and has made public transportation free for kids under 11. Vilnius and Riga are also considering following Tallinn’s strategy...."

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by bu2

Well we'll see what happens in Kansas City.

I mean, world examples. Truly robust systems...

[bu2]

Originally Posted by aries4118

I mean, world examples. Truly robust systems...

Do you classify Atlanta as such?

[StoicTao]

Originally Posted by behouse

No. The homeless people would take it over immediately. The train is to move people around. It's not a babysitting service

This. Making it free will not increase ridership. It might have the opposite effect.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by bu2

Do you classify Atlanta as such?

Atlanta doesn't have fare-free transit.

I was asking examples of fare-free transit (robust systems).