Abolishing fares outright - simple, fast, way to better public transit

Simpler still than buying more buses and creating more reserved lanes, abolishing fares outright would be the fastest way to get millions of Canadians to leave their cars at home. If only we could stop ourselves from thinking of transit as an investment, as something where risk was a factor, as something that could be optimized to be profitable if only free market solutions were given a chance to succeed. Public transit is not, and has never been, about profit. Profit is the problem.

https://ricochet.media/en/2858/a-real-national-public-transit-strategy-is-key-to-tackling-the-climate-crisis? 

Montreal think tank says #freepublictransit saves more than it costs

Schepper said it is also cost effective -- a person driving a car is being subsidized at a rate more than six times higher than someone using public transportation.

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/benefits-of-free-public-transit-would-outweigh-costs-montreal-think-tank-1.3610399 

Vidéo sur les transports publics gratuits en France

Progress Canada calls for #freepublictransit #zerofaretransit

@Progresscdn

Free public transportation a straightforward way to cut CO2 emissions - @linknewspaper

It’s hard to imagine a more straightforward way to cut emissions while improving our lives rather than making a sacrifice. As The Link noted in its coverage of the recent transit protest, around a quarter of Canada’s emissions come from the transportation sector. Taking cars off the road means making a major dent in this area. 

Electric cars may be better than conventional vehicles in the long run, but they still require resources to produce and do not come with the other benefits of public transit. 

Free, expanded public transportation may be bold, but it’s these kinds of solutions that offer us the chance at a cleaner, more equal society. We should not fear investing in a better world.

https://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/editorial-free-public-transportation-is-an-achievable-and-worthy-investment