Transportation pilot makes case for greater fare equity

In recent years, the notion that public transit should be free has gained traction in the U.S. A handful of systems, including the one in Kansas City, went fare-less.

Calls for free public transit became even louder during the COVID-19 pandemic for health and safety reasons, although the issue of equity also came to the fore. (Notably, Kansas City’s ridership remained stronger than most systems during the pandemic.)

For transit providers, the question over whether to implement a zero-fare system has hinged upon the trade-off between further cuts to already strapped budgets and the potential benefit to the community.

A recent collaboration between the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and The Centers for Families and Children—which included 12 months of free monthly transit passes to workforce development program participants—demonstrated how lives can change when access to transportation is more affordable.

Continue the full store at Crain’s Cleveland.