free transit

Experts are wary of free public transit
Finally getting around to reading the postscript to Dave Olsen's series. Some argue that it leads to people valuing the system less, and treating it accordingly.
Stephen Rees' response to Dave Olsen's free transit series
Improving service should always be the number one priority.
Dave Olsen's final article on free transit, on how to pay for it
I hope this series has caused readers -- and our policy makers -- to take a hard look at the workability and benefits fare-free transit might bring to various regions of the province. I believe the only thing stopping us from building frequent, fare-free transit systems in our communities is political will.
Dave Olsen describes the free transit system of Hasselt, Belgium
No direct comparison to Vancouver, and a gear switch at the end with three paragraphs on TransLink accountability.
Free bus service: Is it viable?
Skagit Transit in Mount Vernon and Link Transit in Wenatchee initially ran no-fare bus systems, but added fares after I-695 eliminated big chunks of their revenue.
Whidbey Island transit is free, and successful, writes Dave Olsen
He compares the system to Nanaimo's, and appropriately, since they have similarly-sized transit systems. I'm with Olsen on eliminating bus advertising, but still looking for him discuss a free transit system of comparable size to Vancouver's pay transit.
17 reasons (or more) to stop charging people to ride the bus
First in a series. It has to come with a plan to sell it politically to voters who value their cars, while avoiding pandering to Marxist-Leninist groups, for it to work.
Jak King advocates free transit in Vancouver run by the government
Armed police to make sure we all pay our two dollars and a quarter, or the hundred and seventy five buck fine if we don't. What a stupid and dangerous idea.