iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Replies

Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 26/06/2025

Since Mamdani won the Dem NYC mayor nomination with a free bus proposal, let's talk about free transit. Research suggests that free transit: a—increases ridership b—doesn't get people out of cars c—benefits youth, elderly & low-income ppl d—doesn't add employment e—maybe ups operational efficiency

2133972

Stan Oklobdzija @stano.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

📌

000

George Bell @george.borkbork.ca · 27/06/2025

One of the big things going in New Yorks favor is the options it has for financing new operational funding. 8 million people paying 125$ is 1b$, 64 million tourists paying 15$ is 1b$, 1$/day from 3 million free parking spots is 1b$, 5$/day from 600k out of state commuters is 1b$…

100

Let Luigi Cook @yellownumber5.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I smell a scared centrist. Shut up bro. Help or get out of the way.

000

Faqa @faqa.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Honestly, that free transit replaces walking instead of cars is a huge argument against it. Your transit system should be oriented to do the exact opposite!

110

Benjamin Johns @baj.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

That's pretty puzzling. If it's not getting people out of cars and not increasing labor participation, where are the extra riders coming from? I don't actually believe people who would otherwise be sitting around are just riding buses around all day for the fun of it.

320

Lisa @ljt63.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Saves the needs and expenses related to policing and prosecuting fare-beaters. Transit cops can focus on actual crime.

010

Diet Babka @dietbabka.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Thank you for this analysis, it’s useful. I think two other factors matter (just speculating): first, it gets rid of penalties when many are already not paying, decreasing criminalization, and second, it saves low income people hundreds of dollars per year or more. Both of those are big impacts.

080

suldrew 🏳️‍🌈 @suldrew.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

This conversation is meaningless without considering security. When LA Metro went free during the pandemic, it began a years-long decline in safety that has only begun to be reversed with Tap to Exit.

441

Upzone New Jersey 🏗️ @upzonenj.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

The example that should get talked about more is HBLR in Jersey City. They really don't enforce the fare at all. I think it does get cars off the road, and helps poorer residents get downtown for shopping and jobs.

190

Greg Linden @glinden.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Thanks for this, unexpected and very interesting that free transit improves efficiency but mostly replaces walking not cars. If you are willing, I'd love to hear a comparison of free transit vs free-at-non-peak-times (fares only at peak times) vs always low fares (eg $1) vs the current fares.

000

Thomas Edwards @mpeg2tom.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I wonder if free transit allows transit security forces to concentrate and become more effective on reducing transit crime and harassment rather than fare evasion.

010

Chuck Cowdery @chuckcowdery.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

If you don't put numbers to it, you've said nothing.

000

Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 26/06/2025

What evidence is there that free transit adds riders? Multiple studies of real programs, such as in Boston & Richmond, show that free transit means more riders on the lines that receive this treatment. www.boston.gov/sites/defaul... dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.... vcnva.org/wp-content/u...

sciencedirect.com

Does fare-free transit increase labor-force participation and reduce income inequality?

Fare-free transit policy is not new to several public transit systems and communities in the U.S., as some local transit agencies have begun implement…

2473

This Sandwichman is Tom Walker @thesandwichman.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

How to fund it? Charge for "free parking." Parking is not free to the city that provides it. The city shouldn't be subsidizing a socially and environmentally destructive mode.

060

Maya🚂🚃🚄🚅🚆🚇🚈🚉🚊🚝🚞🚋🚌🚎 @trains.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

it would be nice if certain austerity brained individuals in the transit space actually listennd to these arguements

080

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

C is why I have always been 100% for this, even though I am a middle-class 99.9% subway and bike user.

150

Rodney 🚧🚇 @chanface.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

📌

010

Julian Barg @jbarg.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Interesting summary. I would add two points that are hard to measure. (1) When your car breaks down and you live near the poverty line, free transit is a life line.

210

Grace Lindsay @neurograce.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Thanks for this thread!

010

Tiffany M. Ryan, BSW, MA @tiffmryan.com · 26/06/2025

“Doesn’t add employment” - clarifying question. Does it increase overall employability of folks?

000

Marc de Faoite @marcdefaoite.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I live in a small French town. Bus service is good, but frequency not (1 bus/hr on most routes). Increased frequency would make it more appealing than free transit. Also, many more elderly riding the buses this week in this heat, because the buses are almost the only air-conditioned public spaces.

week.in

020