You don’t have to love the idea, but get some facts right: 1. Boston already has a few free bus lines, this didnt come from nowhere 2. The data from free bus pilot program in NYC showed the biggest group of new riders had income under $28k 3. The program is paid for by raising taxes on the 1%
Using millionaires-tax money for the Boston free buses might be a good idea, but the current pilot (on three bus lines) is paid for out of the city's ARPA funds - the city actually pays the MBTA for the lost fare revenue. www.boston.gov/departments/...
Yep, I wasn’t suggesting that this plan was exactly the same, just that there is precedent for free bus lines in other cities, it wasn’t just something that came out of nowhere, it’s an idea that transit wonks have been discussing and investigating for some time.
Apologies, thought you were referring to the actual Mass. millionaires tax.
Alllllll good
How’re those free bus lines working out for you in Boston?
On point 2, what were they doing before that?
There’s a good summary of the results here to nerd out on ;)
Zohran did a write up that is also worth a read if you’re interested in such things,
Doesn't look very encouraging for the free fare advocates.
In what way?
… in what way? I agree the results were a mixed bag: buses didn’t get faster as expected, but rider usage was up significantly, far fewer altercations for bus drivers, 11% switching from taxi / driving is a noteworthy reduction in traffic. Some very good stuff.
Suffering even more
Lol ok
