I mean it is though. Fare collection and enforcement work and capital is deadweight loss that can be redeployed. Also a little bit: transit rider is self-selecting for people to whom the cost is evidently not a barrier. Run the same survey in Perth where the bus is free and suggest a fare.
Enforcement isn’t needed to charge fares. The bus in my city is already free if you walk on confidently and look like the driver doesn’t want to get in an argument with you. Fare collection really doesn’t cost much.
Alright that's enough now you're just yanking my leg.
? I’m genuinely not sure what you mean. My city spends next to nothing on fare enforcement, our transit supervisors only show up if someone is being actively disruptive, and operators are actively instructed to not try and enforce fares on buses because that’s how most assaults on operators happen.
All reasons it is more efficient and otherwise beneficial to raise revenues elsewhere. Remember money is only an abstraction, taxing authorities are its source. Collection and dispensation of revenues are means of achieving policy goals, no particular form is necessary the way it is for a business