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Free public transport

Public transport not funded by fares from passengers

Free public transport
Summary

Public transport not funded by fares from passengers

access-date= 10 April 2020}}</ref>

Free public transport, often called fare-free public transit or zero-fare public transport, is public transport which is fully funded by means other than collecting fares from passengers. It may be funded by national, regional or local government through taxation, and/or by commercial sponsorship by businesses. Alternatively, the concept of "free-ness" may take other forms, such as no-fare access via a card which may or may not be paid for in its entirety by the user.

On 29 February 2020, Luxembourg became the first country in the world to make all public transport in the country (buses, trams, and trains) free to use. On 1 October 2022, Malta made its public transport free on most routes, though unlike in Luxembourg, this applies only to residents.

As some transit lines intended to operate with fares initially start service, the organisation may elect not to collect fares for an introductory period to create interest or to test operations.

Types

City-wide systems

Tallinn's residents voted for free public transportation on 24 March 2012. This polling place was in a historic tramway Gotha G4-61.

Several mid-size European cities and many smaller towns around the world have converted their public transportation networks to zero-fare. The city of Hasselt in Belgium is a notable example: fares were abolished in 1997 and ridership was as much as "13 times higher" by 2006. Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia with more than 420,000 inhabitants, switched to free public transport in 2013 after a public vote.

In the U.S. state of Washington, 14 rural transit systems have adopted zero-fare policies, either permanently or through pilots in the 2020s. Fares for passengers aged 18 and younger have been free on most local and inter-city transit systems in the state since September 2022. The program was part of a larger statewide transportation package and also includes inter-city Amtrak trains operated by the state, as well as the Washington State Ferries system.

Kharkiv in Ukraine is the largest city in the world with free public transport with a population of 1,420,000 residents, where free public transport for everyone has been introduced in 2022.

Since 2025, local transport in Belgrade, a city with 1,380,000 inhabitants, has been free.

Local services

In July 2017, Dubai announced it would offer free bus services for a short period of time on selected days.

In the northwestern United States, some tribal governments offer free bus service on their respective reservations, including on the Muckleshoot, Spokane, Umatilla and Yakama Indian Reservations.

Emergency relief

During natural disasters, pandemics, and other area-wide emergencies, some transit agencies offer zero-fare transport.

United States

Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit commuter rail temporarily offered free service for those needing transportation alternatives during the 2017 Tubbs Fire and 2019 Kincade Fire.

Some agencies, including the Central Ohio Transit Authority and King County Metro, offer free public transport during snow emergencies to reduce the number of vehicles on the street.

COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several agencies paused the collection of fares to alleviate concerns that the virus could be transmitted on surfaces, to keep travelers from coming into close contact with employees, or to allow rear door boarding on their vehicles. These agencies are mostly located in smaller cities where the farebox recovery ratio is low as they could afford to implement this policy without a major hit to revenue. A study was conducted to detail the ways that fare collection during the pandemic varied geographically and demographically. During this time, 63.5% of the 263 public transit agencies studied had suspended fare collection. Geographically, the alleviation of fares was common around urban centers like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York City, etc and less obvious in northwestern states.

Benefits

Operational benefits

url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/30/nyregion/subway-mta-fare-gates.html }}</ref> one of the equipment costs that would become unnecessary with fare-free transit.

Transport operators can benefit from faster boarding and shorter dwell times, allowing faster timetabling of services. Although some of these benefits can be achieved in other ways, such as off-vehicle ticket sales and modern types of electronic fare collection, zero-fare transport avoids equipment and personnel costs.

Passenger aggression may be reduced. In 2008 bus drivers of Société des Transports Automobiles (STA) in Essonne held strikes demanding zero-fare transport for this reason. They claim that 90% of the aggression is related to refusal to pay the fare.

A randomized controlled trial conducted in Santiago, Chile, found that access to fare-free public transport increased overall travel by 12%, particularly boosting off-peak travel by 23% due to a rise in both public transport and non-motorized trips.

Commercial benefits

Some zero-fare transport services are funded by private businesses, such as the merchants in a shopping mall, in the hope that doing so will increase sales or other revenue from increased foot traffic or ease of travel. Employers often operate free shuttles as a benefit to their employees, or as part of a congestion-mitigation agreement with a local government.

Community benefits

Zero-fare transport can make the system more accessible and fair for low-income residents. Other benefits are the same as those attributed to public transport generally:

  • Road traffic can benefit from decreased congestion and faster average road speeds, fewer traffic accidents, easier parking, savings from reduced wear and tear on roads
  • Increased public access, especially for the poor and low waged, which can in turn benefit social integration, businesses and those looking for work
  • Environmental and public health benefits including decreased air pollution and noise pollution from road traffic

Research findings from Stroud & Bekhit (2023) about inclusivity gaps in FFPT research studies Research of fare-free public transport (FFTP) studies by Stroud and Bekhit (2025) reveals that only 25% of the studies significantly consider non-dominant groups of the population in their research, with extensive knowledge gaps about FFPT impacts on marginalized communities.

Global benefits

Global benefits of zero-fare transport are also the same as those attributed to public transport generally. If use of personal cars is discouraged, zero-fare public transport could mitigate the problems of global warming and oil depletion. On average, cars emit one pound of per mile driven (1 lb/mi). Public transport helps to reduce the number of vehicles being driven which results in decreasing carbon emissions. Cars are also responsible for emitting other pollutants such as antifreeze.

Countries with countrywide zero-fare transport

  • Luxembourg was the first country to offer free public transport (trams, trains, and buses) for everyone across the entire country. Since 29 February 2020, all public transport has been free in the country, with the exception of the first class on trains.
  • Estonia wants to become entirely zero-fare. Counties in Estonia are allowed to make public transport free. Between 2018 and 2024, buses were free of charge in 11 of Estonia's 15 counties. Public transport in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, has been free to local residents since 2013. As of January 2024, free local transport in the counties was largely abolished, but remains available for people up to 19 years of age and those aged 63 and over.
  • Malta became fare free for all residents on 1 October 2022.
  • There are UK-wide provisions for free bus travel for senior citizens (60-years-old and over in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Greater London, state pension age for England). The Scottish government has also implemented free bus travel across the country for people under 22-years-old since 31 January 2022, while the Scottish National Blind Person Scheme allows free rail and ferry travel for blind persons. The senior citizens bus pass also apply to rail and rapid transit (the Tube) in Greater London, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
  • Romania has made public transportation including buses, subways and inter-country trains free for all pre-university students. However university students only have the option for a 50% discount on individual inter-country train tickets or inter-city subscriptions.
  • In the Netherlands, students with Dutch citizenship get free public transportation country-wide in trains, trams, buses and metro. Students who are studying at universities of applied sciences and universities need to finish their degree ten years after starting it or they will need to pay back the amount of money.
  • Throughout Spain, from 1 September 2022 to 30 June 2025 and as a way to reduce gas prices for trucks after the Russian war in Ukraine, all multi-trip ticket train journeys on commuter services and medium-distance routes (less than 300 km) were made free of charge, on the condition that the individual uses it at least an average of once a week.
  • Since March 2024, the Hungarian national railway company MÁV does not charge those of ages 65 and over and 14 and under for transportation. Buses of the company Volánbusz can also be used free of charge from people of these same age ranges.

List of towns and cities with area-wide zero-fare transport

Europe

Town/CityPopulationOperatorFirst yearDurationNotes
United Kingdom ManchesterBee Network1974Since 20022 Free bus routes around the City Centre, free to use since 2002
Denmark Morsø19,734Morsø Municipality2009Since 2009Free public bus transportation for everyone on the busses within the municipality; It was decided, because mostly school students used busses which the municipality covered
Denmark Læsø1,759Læsø MunicipalityFree electric bus, with a small fee if you bring a bicycle or stroller
Denmark Ærø5,948Ærø MunicipalityFree wifi, you can bring your bike, dogs are allowed
Portugal Cascais206,479Mobi Cascais2020Since 2 January 2020Free public bus transportation for residents, students and workers registered in the Municipality of Cascais. Cascais was the first in Portugal to implement the measure and is the fourth-largest city of the country.
France Cahors20,447Raynal Voyages2019Since 2 November 2019
Netherlands NetherlandsGovernment1991Since 1991Free public transport for students Studentenreisproduct or OV-studentenkaart in the whole Netherlands. Students can choose for free transport on weekdays and 40% discount in the weekends, or vice versa.
Russia Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast1,032,382Municipality20032003–2013Free buses run every 30 min. (designated by the letter Н)
Russia Skolkovo, MoscowN/AODAS Skolkovo + Mosgortrans2012Since openingLocal buses are free, include to railway station (from 2019, weekdays, delayed), longer routes are charged unless they ride via Auchan or Vegas
Russia Miass, Chelyabinsk Oblast151,387Municipality1991url=http://transphoto.ru/city/229/title=Миассtrans-title=Miasspublisher=transphoto.rulanguage=ruaccess-date=2017-01-20}}Free trolleybuses and buses
Gibraltar Gibraltar29,500State2011Since May 2011Only for residents and workers. Tourists have to pay.
Spain Manises30,478Municipality
Spain Marbella150,000Municipality2019Since 2019Only for enrolled citizens.
Slovenia Nova Gorica31,0002006Since April 2006
Bulgaria Samokov27,0002006Since 2006
Bulgaria Stamboliyski12,000Municipality2019Since 2019
Norway Stavanger146,011Municipality2023Since 2023
Belgium Hasselt72,000De Lijn1997Since 1 July 19971,300% ridership increase 1996–2006. In 2013, Hasselt stopped free bus service for adults; riders under 19 still travel for free.
Belgium Duffel17,385De LijnOnly valid for one ride
Belgium Ingelmunster10,928De Lijn2017Since 2017Free public transport was offered when the construction of a new bridge made the connection between the two sides of the town impossible.
Belgium Mons92,000TEC Hainaut19991999-20162 intramuros lines were free
Belgium Namur115,000TEC Namur-Luxembourg2024Since 20241 circle route in city centre
[[File:Flag of England.svgframeless22x22px]] West Midlands2,953,816All bus operators in the West Midlands20249–13 December 2024Free bus travel in the West Midlands bus boundary between 7pm and 3am.
Sweden Avesta Municipality21,000Dalatrafik2012Until 2021.Ended due to increased operating costs.
Sweden Vellinge37,700Skånetrafiken2020since 2020Only for residents aged 70 or more within the confines of the county, and young adults aged 16 - 19 who may travel on Skånetrafiken and Öresundstågen services in Skåne
Sweden Kiruna18,0902011From 2011 to 2012–12
Sweden Övertorneå2,00070 km of free rides on local buses in this rural municipality
Poland Bełchatów56,973Miejski Zakład Komunikacji Sp. z o.o.2015Since 28 May 2015Unconditionally free for all users.
Poland Żory62,6252014Since 1 May 2014Unconditionally free for all users.
Poland Lubin72,9512014Since 1 September 2014Unconditionally free for all users.
Poland Olkusz36,1222013Between 1 September 2013 and 31 December 2014For car owners registered in this municipality only.
Poland Ostrołęka52,3372017Since 28 October 2017Unconditionally free for all users.
Poland Starachowice43,8832022Since 1 April 2022For residents and tax payers in this municipality (and their minor family members.
Romania Lugoj37,7002013Starting 1 July 2013
Romania Cluj-Napoca411,3792021Starting 18 June 2021Free transportation on tram and bus lines every Friday
Romania Ploiești201,226TCE S.A.2014Starting 31 March 2014The benefits are limited to city residents with an income under 3,000 RON per month (about €670).
Romania Arad145,078CTP Arad S.A.2023Starting 7 July 2023Free transportation on tram and bus lines every Friday.
Greece Ilioupoli78,153MunicipalityFree transportation to all, but only local buses, for specifically only local municipality buses.
Iceland Akureyri, Iceland18,8032007Since 1 January 2007
Estonia Tallinn435,2452013Since 1 January 2013Tallinn is currently the largest city offering free public transport for its residents. Regional buses are excluded from the scheme. Elron commuter trains are also free inside the city limits. Tallinn is also the first capital with free public transport for its residents.
Estonia Keila9,8732013Since February 2013
Estonia Türi6,174title=Türi linna tasuta bussiliintrans-title=Free bus line to Türiurl=http://www.tyri.ee/turi-linna-tasuta-bussiliinaccess-date=3 July 2016archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816144151/http://www.tyri.ee/turi-linna-tasuta-bussiliinarchive-date=16 August 2016}}
Germany Lübben14,500Has been stoppedInfluenced by Hasselt
Germany Kelheim122,258VLK2021Since November 2021Free buses since November 2021 within Kelheim County
Germany Templin16,500Has been stopped
Germany Augsburg295,135SWA2020Since 1 January 2020Free public transport within a zone downtown called "City-Zone"
Germany Erlangen116,562ESTW2024Since 1 January 2024Free use of all buses in the inner city for everybody
Germany Monheim am Rhein and Langenfeld (Rheinland)46,072 + 60,926Free use of all buses and the lightrail lines S6 and S68 in the city areas of Monheim am Rhein, Langenfeld (Rheinland) and Düsseldorf-Hellerhof, for residents of Monheim am Rhein only
Slovakia Senec19,900MAD Senec2013Since 1 November 2013Since 1 April 2018 city transport has two bus lines. Temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic until 1 September.
France Aubagne42,900 (100,000 in the area concerned)2009Since 15 May 2009The Aubagne tramway is considered to be the first completely fare-free tram system in the world.
France Bar-le-Duc15,7002008Since 1 September 2008
France Boulogne-Billancourt110,0001992Since 1992
France Castres62,5002008Since October 2008
France Châteauroux47,1272001Since 2001
France Colomiers28,5381971Since 1971The first area of France to offer zero-fare public transport which is still in operation at present
France Compiègne40,0281990sSince the 1990s
France Dunkirk91,000Municipality2015: free weekend service, fall 2018: full service
France Figeac9,9002003Since 2003–2009
France Issoudun13,5001989Since 1989Has free in the name of the service (Transport Issoudun Gratuit). Works on certain days of the week in the afternoons only.
France Libourne23,0002009Since 1 January 2009 for under 18s
Since 28 August 2010 for everyone
France Manosque22,2002010since 1 January 2010
France Niort122 000Communauté d'agglomération du Niortais2017Since 1 September 2017
France Vitré15,3132001Since spring 2001First French urban agglomeration to do so.
Italy Catania315,000Amt, Metropolitana di Catania, Università degli Studi di Catania2018Since 10 April 2018Free metro and bus lines to all local university students
Czech Republic Třeboň8,700ČSAD Jindřichův Hradec a. s.2002Between 2002–2002 and 2007–2008Under Mayor Jiří Houdek (KDU-ČSL), city transport has only one bus line (No 340300), influenced by US school buses
Czech Republic Prague1,285,000Many operators (first of all Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy)2002Between 2002 and 2008–2015 (ca) and 25 August 2002, during the Vltava flood and flooding of the Prague metro systemAlso always during time of the smog or other emergency (used rarely – 1996–1997 for 2 day, 1992–1993 for 4 days).
Czech Republic Hořovice6,800Probo Trans Beroun s. r. o.2008Since March 2008City transport has only one bus line (no. 210009 alias C09 or C9)
Czech Republic Valašské Meziříčí27,300ČSAD Vsetín a. s.2009Between 14 June 2009 and 14 July 2009, again since September 2017City transport has five bus lines
Czech Republic Přelouč9,000Veolia Transport Východní Čechy a. s.2009Between 1 December 2009 and 6 March 2010Initial price at the newly established first city bus line (no. 665101)
Czech Republic Frýdek-Místek58,200ČSAD Frýdek-Místek a. s.2011Since 27 March 2011Only 365-day chip coupon (however the chip card costs 299 Kč and prolongation 1 Kč) and user must to not be a debtor toward the city. Number of passengers has increased from 3.8 million in 2010 to 5.7 million in 2013. Since 2014, it is possible to travel free on regional bus lines to next 18 villages and towns. Population in the serviced area is 100,000. Chip card for free public transport has 25,000 passengers.
Czech Republic Strakonice22,900ČSAD STTRANS a. s.2018Since 1 January 2018In 2017, the city bus transport was free for senior citizens, children and students up to 26 years; since 2018, buses are free for all, but only in the city zone (sections outside the city are still paid).
Czech Republic Lovosice8,700BusLine a. s., renamed to TD BUS a.s.2018Since 28 January 2018The only bus line no. 558001 started 10 years ago, 2008-01-28
Czech Republic Litoměřice24,000BusLine a. s., renamed to TD BUS a.s.2018Since 1 May 2018Two bus lines
Czech Republic Říčany12,400ČSAD Benešov a. s. (ICOM group)2018Since 3 September 20183 intervallic lines (yellow, red and blue) and 3 school lines (Š1, Š2, Š3), licence numbers 289001–289006, in working days only. Previous lines of Prague Integrated Transport remain paid.
Czech Republic Kolín33,289Okresní autobusová doprava Kolín, s.r.o.2023Since 1 January 2023
Faroe Islands Tórshavn20,000Tórshavn City CouncilSix different bus lines
Serbia Jagodina76,712City2019Since January 2019Also includes 52 villages and settlements around Jagodina that are connected with the city.
Ukraine Kryvyi Rih603 904Municipality2022Including trams, metrotram, and trolleybus
Ukraine Kharkiv1,421,125Municipality2022Including trams, metro, and trolleybus
Serbia Belgrade1,197,714City2025Since 1 January 2025Free transport; includes all forms of public transport within the Belgrade Metropolitan Area.

Asia

Town/CityPopulationOperatorBegin operationDurationNotes
Russia Cheremushki, Khakassia, Russia9,000trams are serviced by Dam's staffzero fare is official to anybody (de jure service line because the taxes would be higher than revenues)
Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia10,770,487TransJakarta{{start date and agedf=yes2016}}
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1,790,000SKS BusGo KL City Bus
India New Delhi, India20,000,000 (concerned for 9,000,000 women)State Government2019free bus services for women
Israel Tel Aviv District, Israel1,350,000Na'im Busofash22 November 2019Free weekend public transportation array that exists in 6 authorities in Gush Dan – Givatayim, Kiryat Ono, Ramat HaSharon, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Yehud-Monosson and Shoham.
Israel Tiberias, Israel41,300Tiberias city council2019one bus line that goes on Saturdays
South Korea Hwaseong, South Korea934,441Hwaseong city2020Fare-free bus service for the children, youth, and elderly
Thailand Bangkok, Thailand8,249,000severalIn some bus lines in older unair-conditioned bus (fare prices are also about age/equipment of bus). Also time and again for new public metro tracks for several months.
Turkey Ovacık, Turkey6,998Ovacık municipality2014title=Maçoğlu'ndan 'ücretsiz ulaşım' açıklaması: Kâr-zarar hesabı yapılmaz, halkın parası buurl=https://haber.sol.org.tr/haber/macoglundan-ucretsiz-ulasim-aciklamasi-kar-zarar-hesabi-yapilmaz-halkin-parasi-bu-331783publisher=soLaccess-date=2 July 2022language=trdate=6 April 2022}}
Turkey Tunceli, Turkey38,429Tunceli municipality2019Free in three neighbourhoods that doesn't have privately operated public bus
India Tamil Nadu, India72,147,030 (concerned for 36,009,055 women)State Government2021url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/social-issues/gender/free-rides-women-empowerment-tamil-nadu-bus-ticket-scheme-critical-evaluation/article34793039.ecetitle=Tamil Nadu launches free bus travel for women's empowermentdate=18 June 2021access-date=26 January 2024}}

Americas

Brazil

A bus with free public transport in [[Vargem Grande Paulista]], [[Brazil
Town/CityPopulationOperatorFirst yearDurationNotes
Agudos, SP36,700local government2011since 2011
Ivaiporã, PR31,812local government2011since 2011
Porto Real, RJ16,574local government2011since 2011
Potirendaba, SP15,449local government1998since 1998{{cite web
Paulínia, SP86,800local government2013since 2013
Maricá, RJ146,549Empresa Pública de Transportes – EPT2014since 2014
Muzambinho, MG21,975local government2011since 2011
Pitanga, PR32,645local government2012since 2012
Silva Jardim, RJ21,307local government2014since 2014-02-15{{cite web
Vargem Grande Paulista, SP48,7202019since 2019

Canada

Town/CityPopulationOperatorFirst YearDurationNotes
Candiac, Quebec21,0002014
Canmore, Alberta13,000ROAM2019
Cold Lake, Alberta15,000Cold Lake Transit
La Prairie, Quebec23,0002014
Mont Tremblant, Quebec10,000Mont-Tremblant Public Transit2019
Orangeville, Ontario30,700Orangeville Transit2023
Sainte-Julie, Quebec30,0002014
Saint-Philippe, Quebec5,5002014

United States

Town/CityPopulationService/operatorFirst yearDurationNotes
Albuquerque, New Mexico564,559ABQ RIDE2022
Alexandria, Virginia159,467DASH (bus)2021
Athens, Georgia126,913Athens Transit2021
Avon, Colorado6,115Avon/Beaver Creek Transit2021
Blacksburg, Virginia44,826Blacksburg Transit2020date = April 2, 2020title = BT to Implement Fare Free Service - Effective 4/2/2020
Boone, North Carolina17,122AppalCart1981since 1981combination of funding from the town, Appalachian State University, Watauga County, and state and federal agencies.
Boston, Massachusetts675,647several MBTA key bus routes (23, 28, and 29)20212021 until February 28, 2026
Breckenridge, Colorado4,901Free Ride Transit System1997
Cache Valley, UtahCache Valley Transit District2000since 2000
Canby, Oregon15,829Canby Area Transit
Chadron, Nebraska5,488City of Chadron
Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina70,000+Chapel Hill Transit2002since 2002operated by the Town of Chapel Hill to serve Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and UNC-Chapel Hill; supported by taxpayers and University fee-payers
Clallam County, Washington77,805Clallam Transit2024one-year pilotlast=Beekmanfirst=Danieldate=November 13, 2023title=Clallam Transit will be latest of many WA systems to go fare-freeurl=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/clallam-transit-will-be-latest-of-many-wa-systems-to-go-fare-free/work=The Seattle Timesaccess-date=November 17, 2023}}
Clemson, South Carolina11,939Clemson Area Transitpartnership between Clemson University and surrounding communities
Commerce, California41,000City of Commerce Municipal Bus Lines1962since 1962all transportation services are free of charge{{cite web
Coral Gables, Florida42,871
Corvallis, Oregon54,462Corvallis Transit System2011since February 2011
Dayton, Ohio137,644Flyer Shuttle Bus operated by the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority2018since 2018Shuttle connects downtown Dayton and University of Dayton
Detroit, Michigan639,000Q Line operated by the Detroit Transport Authority2017since 2017Connecting northern suburbs to central Detroit
Detroit, Michigan639,000Detroit People Mover2024since 2024Sponsored pilot project.
Ellensburg, Washington20,326Central Transit
El Paso County, Texas865,657El Paso Transportation Authority2025until 2026
Emeryville, California9,727Emery Go Round
Fairfax, Virginia24,276CUE Bus2020Until June 30, 2026CUE stopped collecting fares in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has since continued operating zero-fare. Funded in part by the Fairfax, Virginia and a grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
Fort Collins, Colorado169,810Transfort2020Transfort stopped collecting fares in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has since continued operating zero-fare. As of January 2023, the city is considering keeping Transfort fare-free permanently.
Grant County, WashingtonGrant Transit Authority2020Became permanently fare-free in 2022.
Island County, Washington81,054Island Transit1987since 1987
Hawaii County, Hawaii206,315Hele-On Bus2021through 2025
Iowa City, Iowa74,828Iowa City Transit2023through 2026
Jefferson County, WashingtonJefferson Transit2024since January 2024
Kansas City, Missouri301,500RideKC buses and KC Streetcar20192019–2023title=Americans spend over 15% of their budgets on transportation costs—these US cities are trying to make it freeurl=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/02/free-public-transportation-is-a-reality-in-100-citiesheres-why.htmlwebsite=CNBCdate=2 March 2020publisher=Onlineaccess-date=19 November 2021}}
Ketchum/Sun Valley, Idaho3,003Mountain Rides
Kootenai County, IdahoCitylink
Lebanon, New Hampshire13,151Advance Transitcombination of state and federal funding and from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth College. Also serves Hanover and White River Junction, Vermont
Logan, Utah49,534Cache Valley Transit District1992since 1992
Macomb, Illinois20,000Go West Transit2006since 2006
Milwaukee, Wisconsin560,000Transdev2018since 2018Hop streetcar services provided free through various sponsorships starting in 2018
Mammoth Lakes, California8,234Eastern Sierra Transit Authority
Marion, Indiana29,948Marion Area Transit System2008since 2008
Martin County, Florida158,431Martin County Public Transit2025since 2025
Mason County, Washington61,019Mason Transit Authority1992Fares charged on intra-county routes
Missoula, Montana69,122Missoula Urban Transportation District
Montgomery County, Maryland1,082,273Ride On20192019: under 18, July 2025: all riders
Moscow, Idaho25,146SMART Transit
Mountain View, California81,500Google and City of Mountain ViewMountain View Community Shuttle, electric bus service 10AM to 6PM daily
Muckleshoot Indian Reservation, WashingtonMuckleshoot Indian Tribe
New York City, New YorkMTA Regional Bus Operations – Q70 bus2022date=April 27, 2022title=Q70 Bus to LaGuardia Is Free for All Starting May 1, Hochul Saysurl=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/q70-bus-to-laguardia-airport-free-for-all-starting-may-1-hochul-announces/3666084/access-date=April 28, 2022website=NBC New York}}The Q70 bus route has been permanently fare-free since May 2022. The Q4, B60, Bx18, M116 and S46/96 temporarily became fare-free 24 September 2023, but fares were reinstated 31 August 2024.
New York City, New YorkRoosevelt Island Red Bus2014last=Bashanfirst=Yonidate=2014-04-03title=Save Your Change: This Ride on New York's Roosevelt Island is Freeurl=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441304579477862046443926.htmlaccess-date=2023-09-01work=Wall Street Journallanguage=en-USissn=0099-9660}}
New York City, New YorkStaten Island Ferry (NYCDOT)1997last=Sontagfirst=Deborahdate=July 5, 1997title=On the Staten Island Ferry, Illusory 'Free Ride' Is Realityurl=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/05/nyregion/on-the-staten-island-ferry-illusory-free-ride-is-reality.htmlaccess-date=September 19, 2017work=The New York Timeslanguage=en-USissn=0362-4331}}
Olympia/Thurston County, Washington252,264Intercity Transit20202020–20275-year pilot, later extended to 2027
Park City, Utah8,300Park City Transit, High Valley TransitAlso serves Snyderville Basin
Provo, Utah/Orem, Utah215,175Utah Transit Authority2018since 2018Utah Valley Express (UVx) Bus-Rapid Transit Line only. UVX fare has been covered by a Federal Highway Administration Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement grant through 2021.
Richmond, Virginia226,610Greater Richmond Transit Company2020through 2026
Rome, Georgia37,746Rome Transit Department (RTD)2021until 29 December 2023 (planned)Beginning on 4 October 2021, the City of Rome Transit Department began offering free Fixed-Route Transit Service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fare adjustment is currently set to expire on 29 December 2023.
Sandy, Oregon9,570Sandy Area Metro2000since 2000
Spokane Indian Reservation, WashingtonSpokane Tribe of Indians
Stanford, California13,809Stanford Marguerite Shuttle
Starkville, Mississippi23,888Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit
Tacoma, Washington216,279Sound Transit T Line20032023Eliminated after extension
Tampa, Florida380,000TECO Line Streetcar2018Service with fares started in 2002, free since 2018.
Tucson, Arizona1,043,433Sun Tran2020Fare free for the entire Tucson Metropolitan Area since Spring 2020. Originally a pandemic-era temporary measure, it is now permanent.
Umatilla Indian Reservation, OregonConfederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan120,000University of Michigan Transit Services
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota51,853U of M Transitway1992since 1992
Vail, Colorado4,589over 20 hours of service every day during winter
Vero Beach, Florida15,220GoLinefree 14-route public transit system serves 700,000 annual riders
Walla Walla, Washington50,600Valley Transit1981Until 2026
Westchester County1,004,457Bee-Line Bus System2022June 1 through September 5 (Labor Day)
Wilmington, Vermont2,225Deerfield Valley Transit Association1996since 1996free 13-route public transit system operated by Southeast Vermont Transit serving 200,000 riders annually and providing commuter bus service between Bennington and Brattleboro. Operates as "the MOOver".
Wilsonville, Oregon19,509South Metro Area Regional Transit
Worcester, Massachusetts206,518Worcester Regional Transit Authority2020since 2020All buses fare-free
Yakama Indian Reservation, WashingtonConfederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
Irvine, California307,670City of Irvine2024since 2024operated by local municipal government, beginning as a one-year pilot

Perception and analysis

Fare-free transit has been repeatedly demonstrated to increase ridership—especially during non-peak travel periods—and customer satisfaction. Several analyses have shown ridership increased by as much as 15% overall and about 45% during the off-peak periods. The effects on public transport operators included schedule adherence problems because of the increased ridership and more complaints about rowdiness from younger passengers, though there is a reduction in altercations relating to fare collection. When the University of California, Los Angeles covered fares for the university community, ridership increased by 56% in the first year and solo driving fell by 20%.

In the United States, mass transit systems that collect fares are only expected to generate about 10% of the annual revenue themselves, with the remainder covered by either public or private investment and advertisements. Therefore, politicians and social-justice advocacy groups, such as the Swedish network Planka.nu, see zero-fare public transport as a low-cost, high-impact approach to reducing economic inequality. It has also been argued that transportation to and from work is essential to the employer in the managing of work hours, so financing of public transportation should fall to employers rather than private individuals or public funds.

References

References

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