Kansas City becomes first major American city with universal fare-free public transit

[brooklynite]

Source: 435

Today, Kansas City became the first major American city to have fare-free public transit.

City council voted unanimously to make city bus routes fare-free, reports KSHB, directing the city manager to develop and enact a plan. The city's light rail was already free.

Free bus service, which is expected to cost about $8 million, has been pitched as a major help to low-income residents who rely on transit to commute to work.

New mayor Quinton Lucas helped spearhead the plan with the support of city opinion leaders including the Kansas City Star's editorial board.


Read more: https://www.435mag.com/kansas-city-becomes-first-major-american-city-with-universal-fare-free-public-transit/

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As a transportation professional: there is a concept called a "friction charge", which suggests that a user should have to make even a marginal payment for a public good, so that it's not used irresponsibly (e.g. it's raining so I'll ride the bus one block, adding waiting time at each corner). We'll see what the free-fare policy does to operating costs.

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. Now if they will just add bunches more bus routes.

Our public transportation is pretty sad.

[rwsanders]

10. I'm out in Lees Summit and went to a bicycle route planning meeting...

and tried to tell the planners that they should plan the routes around future mass transit stations and he looked at me like I had 3 heads and said it would have to wait until there was a regional plan.
Aaargh what a goof. Lees Summit develops like this is the 1950's.

[Blues Heron]

2. very enlightened

[MontanaMama]

3. My city certainly isn't as large

as KC, but with a population of 75,000, we’ve had free bus service here in Missoula for years. People complained when it was first proposed but now folks love it. It was a game changer for the University where parking is a huge problem.

[Judi Lynn]

9. So good to hear that. Missoula should be commended for this progressive action.

What a difference it would make in so many people's lives.

Thanks for the information.

[unc70]

4. We also have had fare free transit for years

Chapel Hill (and Carrboro) Transit has been fate free for 15-20 years. It has been a big success. The larger region (Raleigh, Durham) is fare free for 18 and younger and for 65 and older and for most college students.

The argument about "friction" is a fiction. Hopping on and off the bus to go a few blocks is encouraged. Because the CHT buses have no fare collection delays, passengers board using any door. This allows routes to move much more quickly.

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. Wow, not even Oslo has free public transit...

Wondering how this mega-socialism policy got through in such a red state?

[Lulu KC]

12. Red state, blue city n/t

[Polybius]

6. Please happen in NYC!

That would be great.

[NBachers]

7. I have my Senior Clipper Card, and ride on San Francisco transit free. I'll jump in for two blocks,

if it's convenient. I'm using my car a lot less, and enjoying being more in touch with the city and my neighborhood.

[IronLionZion]

8. The popular DC circulator went free during the summer

I guess they wanted tourists and others to use it to keep traffic congestion down. For some reason the service went bad really fast. It used to be a bus came by every 10 minutes, but now you'd end up waiting 30 minutes or more for a completely full bus to come by with barely any standing room. In October, the $1 fare was reinstated and things improved.

I'll admit to riding more and walking less when it's raining. The cost is better than having wet shoes.

[Aristus]

11. I'm willing to bet that increased access to transportation will return a lot more than

$8 million to their economy.

Brilliant idea. Too bad they didn't think of it sooner.