• AJ Sadauskas@aus.social
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    2 years ago

    @TheOne From the article:

    "After two successful test phases, the city’s decision has been made: bus and tram travel will become free for Montpellier’s residents. From December 2023, none will have to pay for public transport.

    "In this way, the city aims to reduce air pollution, cut emissions and support disadvantaged groups.

    "The measure is part of a 150 million euro package that also includes the construction of new bicycle lanes.

    Anyone have thoughts on free public transport? Would it work in your city?

    https://scoop.me/montpellier-free-public-transport/

    #planning #UrbanPlanning #transport #tram #trams #train #trains #ClimateCrisis #ClimatePolicy #railway #metro #cities

    • Tom Andraszek@mastodon.social
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      2 years ago

      @ajsadauskas @TheOne - in #Queensland, the fare box revenue is so small, that eliminating the whole fare collection and enforcement would have a very minor effect on the budget, and could even be net positive if it lead to less driving (health, pollution, crashes, congestion) and more mobility.

      The government keeps the full ongoing costs of the fare system secret, but we know for example that they spent A$371 million to add a payment by credit card option. Fare revenue in 2022: A$203m.

      • AJ Sadauskas@aus.social
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        2 years ago

        @tom_andraszek @TheOne Playing devil’s advocate for a moment, in theory, the logic of requiring a fare is that, as patronage increases, there’s more money to improve services.

        So more passengers -> more fares -> more services -> more passengers -> more fares.

        It’s a virtuous cycle.

        As opposed to cars, where more passengers -> more traffic -> worse travel times.

        That being said, there are good alternatives.

        Properties close to public transport services tend to have higher property prices.

        A small council rates levy or property tax can capture that value, and be used to pay for the service.

        Another option is the Hong Kong Metro model, where the service generates a profit as a result of property development above and around the stations.

        In theory, that revenue could be used to fund a public transport service.

        • Tom Andraszek@mastodon.social
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          2 years ago

          @ajsadauskas @TheOne - yes, but the situation needs to be evaluated as a whole from the point of view of the user and trip: car vs PT vs active transport: marginal cost, door to door speed, quality, safety, comfort, availability. By making PT free, we would be making it a bit more competitive against car here. As it is, it loses to car in most categories for most trips, in #GoldCoast: 5% to 85%.