Vancouver car-free day brings out fare-free advocates

...Making public transit a free ride (paid for through taxes or some way other than fares) was the most popular concept of all. Several participants mentioned free-fare initiatives in Portland and Seattle and asking why Vancouver can't do something similar. It was certainly evident that transit in Vancouver is a hot topic of discussion and will continue to be in the near future.... The Tyee

Free transit roaring success

...At first the mayor had his detractors. He was nicknamed “Steve Stunt” when his free bus scheme first went into operation. But the results of his policies speak for themselves: by 2006, use of public transport in Hasselt had increased thirteenfold. The ease of getting around is an enormous boost for business – and because most of these businesses are locally owned, the money stays in the community....New Statesman

Chattanooga, TN, USA, free downtown shuttle

The Downtown Electric Shuttle is the easiest way to get around Downtown Chattanooga. It's a FREE ride! Electric buses run daily* about every 5 minutes from the Chattanooga Choo Choo to the Tennessee Aquarium with stops every block in between. Convenient access to the attractions, convention center, shopping, hotels & employment sites in the Downtown area. All Shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible. In service since 1992, CARTA’s Downtown Shuttle service has recorded over 11.3 million passenger trips. The quiet, environmentally friendly, electric buses have run more than 1.9 million miles saving an estimated 65 tons of pollutants. Link

Oil will be USD 200 per barrel by 2012

"Today, in the midst of the worst crisis of the last 60 years, the barrel is traded at just over $ 60 ... Not need a degree in economics to imagine how much it will cost when the recession is over, when people find a job, when they resume driving ... "
At $ 100 within 12 months following an economic upturn, and then to $ 200 by 2012, he says. (Google translate)

«Aujourd'hui, en plein milieu de la pire crise des 60 dernières années, le baril s'échange à un peu plus de 60$... Pas besoin d'un diplôme en économie pour imaginer combien il coûtera quand la récession sera finie, quand les gens retrouveront un emploi, quand ils recommenceront à conduire...»
À combien, justement? How, exactly? À 100$ dans les 12 mois suivant une relance économique, puis à 200$ d'ici 2012, estime-t-il. (la presse affaires - Quebec)

other blogs commenting: Carfree France - Vélorution

Re-imagine car culture

"We don't really like our car-dominated cities. We prefer places that are dense, lively and walkable -- the places we tend to go to on vacation, such as the old centres of European cities, with interesting buildings, narrow streets, squares and public art. But because we have made our cities barely navigable without cars, we have no idea how to remake them in a more pleasing form..." The Star Phoenix (Saskatchewan)