[sustran] Re: Info on Free Public Transport or Transit

[Lloyd Wright]

There is growing interest in fare-free transit systems, mainly due to
underlying economics.  The best known example is Hasselt (Belgium) which
calculated that 60% of the existing bus fare was going into printing,
distributing, and inspecting fares.  If other factors are also included in the
cost analysis (such as customer wait times, impacts from car usage, etc.), the
use of fares was costing more than the income.  Thus, the city went with a
zero fare policy, which subsequently sent transit ridership from 23,000
passengers per day to over 150,000.  The success in Hasselt has also persuaded
some urban and regional train services in other parts of Belgium to also go
fare free.

------ Original Message ------
Received: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 07:07:18 PM EST
From: roland at actrix.co.nz
To: sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org
Subject: [sustran] Info on Free Public Transport or Transit

Hi

Recently a proposal has been floated in New Zealand's major city Auckland
for a zero fare policy coupled with a massive expansion of the bus
service.  I am aware of the range of factors besides fares which influence
use of bus services.

I would be interested in knowing of any examples or evaluations of free
public transport, as the only specific example I have been able to find is
in inner-city Perth in Western Austrailia.

Any suggestions or pointers much appreciated

Thanks in advance for any help

Roland Sapsford
Advisor
Green Party in the Parliament of Aotearoa New Zealand