Should Public Transit be Free in Ottawa? - Page 2

DarthVader_1961 · #21 Posted **Mar 14, 2020, 1:25 PM**

https://www.tvo.org/video/transit-trouble

Deals with fair evasion but gets into free transit

OtrainUser · #22 Posted **Mar 14, 2020, 11:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthVader_1961

https://www.tvo.org/video/transit-trouble

Deals with fair evasion but gets into free transit

People should not use the term free transit when talking about public transportation because it's not free. Whether you pay via fare or taxes or both as it is now it still has to be funded somehow. The fare structure oc transpo use to have with peak and Express fares made the most sense. The current structure subsidizes suburban commuters at the expense of urban commuters and that is what needs to end.

YOWetal · #23 Posted **Mar 15, 2020, 7:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtrainUser

People should not use the term free transit when talking about public transportation because it's not free. Whether you pay via fare or taxes or both as it is now it still has to be funded somehow. The fare structure oc transpo use to have with peak and Express fares made the most sense. The current structure subsidizes suburban commuters at the expense of urban commuters and that is what needs to end.

Yes but we have free health care, free schools, free roads for the most part. This is the same discussion. A few cities have tried it. We are very broke and property taxes are already high. Federally there could be room. Most experts are against the idea. It is cheaper to Uber for 2+ people most of the time and this is a bad incentive.

OtrainUser · #24 Posted **Mar 15, 2020, 8:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Yes but we have free health care, free schools, free roads for the most part. This is the same discussion. A few cities have tried it. We are very broke and property taxes are already high. Federally there could be room. Most experts are against the idea. It is cheaper to Uber for 2+ people most of the time and this is a bad incentive.

I wouldn't call any of those free since we all pay for it through our tax dollars. I would be for getting the federal governments involved but as we have seen in the past, they have shown no interest in solving Ottawa's public transportation problems.

J.OT13 · #25 Posted **Mar 16, 2020, 8:43 PM**

What would it be called then? Universal transit? Transicare? Fare-less transit?

zzptichka · #26 Posted **Mar 17, 2020, 1:51 AM**

Looks like OC Transpo is rolling out pay-if-you-want policy on their buses. Interesting.

OtrainUser · #27 Posted **Mar 17, 2020, 2:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

What would it be called then? Universal transit? Transicare? Fare-less transit?

Public transit would suffice

Uhuniau · #28 Posted **Mar 17, 2020, 3:06 PM**

"Free" public transit induces really stupid rider behaviour.

harls · #29 Posted **Mar 17, 2020, 3:15 PM**

Nobody is on public transit right now.

OtrainUser · #30 Posted **Mar 17, 2020, 4:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

"Free" public transit induces really stupid rider behaviour.

I agree

Acajack · #31 Posted **Mar 17, 2020, 7:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

"Free" public transit induces really stupid rider behaviour.

Writ large in fact.

Not sure if it's written down anywhere but I am sure most big city transit agencies that operate rail systems are mindful that single fares can't even be too low, as less savoury customers will use them to ride around all day "indoors" - especially in cold weather.

If this behaviour gets too prevalent (as has occurred at times in certain cities) it can drive your ridership down significantly.

J.OT13 · #32 Posted **Mar 17, 2020, 8:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthVader_1961

https://www.tvo.org/video/transit-trouble

Deals with fair evasion but gets into free transit

The video was a little frustrating at times. On one hand, you have the Metrolinx guy defending Presto and quoting questionable 99% reliability numbers and blaming customers for ALL fare evasions (continually responding to the other panelists' complaints and suggestions as "you're right, but"). On the other hand, you have the far leftists advocating for free transit and playing the equality card, assuming that all fare evaders are people who genuinely can't afford transit, which isn't the case; many people evade fares because they don't think rules apply to them. I would like to see official numbers on that.

I definitely do not agree with the Metrolinx guy who says transit should be run like a business with no subsidies.

I think Ottawa (and others) have a good system with EquiPass type fares. That is a better solution than overall free transit.