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1. Embed this notice
   Rich Felker (dalias@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 10-Sep-2025 23:57:52 JST Rich Felker

   in reply to

   • Paul

   @pwaring You forgot increased tax revenue from economic activity stimulated by people using public transit.

   Fare enforcement always costs more than it makes. It's an economically losing proposition. The only reasons it's done are hating on poor people and incentivizing the private automobile industry.

   • Embed this notice
     Paul (pwaring@social.xk7.net)'s status on Wednesday, 10-Sep-2025 23:57:53 JST Paul

     Has anyone done a systematic, wide-ranging evaluation of making public transport free to everyone? There would be a loss of fare revenue but I can think of lots of upsides:

     1. Shorter dwell times = lower fuel costs

     2. Fewer road accidents = saving to NHS and economy

     3. Faster journeys due to reduced congestion

     4. Lower air pollution = saves the NHS money on respiratory conditions

     5. More people using = can charge advertisers higher rates

     Would these offset the loss of fare revenue?