[sustran] Info on Free Public Transport or Transit

[Todd Alexander Litman]

There are some examples of cities that offer free transit services. See the 
"Transit Encouragement" (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm112.htm) and "Carfree 
Planning" (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm6.htm) chapters of our Online TDM 
Encyclopedia. For discussion of the effects on transit ridership see the 
"Transit Price Elasticities and Cross Elasticities" report 
(http://www.vtpi.org/tranelas.pdf). For discussion of factors to consider 
when evaluating transit policies see "Evaluating Public Transit Benefits 
and Costs" (http://www.vtpi.org/tranben.pdf).

Although I am a great fan of transit, and I believe that transit should be 
as affordable and attractive as possible, I am not necessarily a fan of 
free transit programs. For one thing, with a given subsidy budget you may 
attract more riders by charging a fee and using the money to expand and 
improve transit services. In general, discretionary riders (people who have 
the option of driving) are more sensitive to service quality than price.

Second, when people get something for free they may not value it. Free 
transit may further stigmatize transit service.

Third, this can lead to significant crowding problems. You may gain price 
sensitive riders at the expanse of comfort sensitive riders.

Fourth, free transit may become a hangout for homeless people. A transit 
vehicle is an expensive place to provide basic shelter.


There are certainly some benefits from free transit, including the 
elimination of fare collection and enforcement, and its a financial benefit 
to poor people. However, I think that a variety of strategies for 
increasing transit ridership should be evaluated taking into account all 
benefits and costs. Targeted discounts (such as transit passes for all 
students and lower-income residents) may make more sense.


Best wishes,
-Todd Litman

At 09:47 AM 11/23/2004 +1300, roland at actrix.co.nz wrote:
>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


Sincerely,
Todd Litman, Director
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
"Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"
1250 Rudlin Street
Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, Canada
Phone & Fax: 250-360-1560
Email: litman at vtpi.org
Website: http://www.vtpi.org