Fare-Free Phila: Groundbreaking set for $26M transit center

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Groundbreaking set for $26M transit center | Lehigh Valley Business: "After more than a decade of speculation, actual construction for Easton’s $26 million transportation center project starts next month, with a groundbreaking ceremony near the end of March, according to the city’s mayor."

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Removing fares saves millions

Increased return on investment. Public transit involves large fixed costs. When fares are gone, there are more riders per vehicle, getting more value from the investment.
Reduced parking costs. With free transit, fewer people will park downtown. City parking authorities can cost $180 million a year, paid by fines, which are just a tax on customers and delivery services.
Reduced traffic congestion. Studies have shown that the time lost in traffic costs urban economies hundreds of millions of dollars.
Less money exported for gasoline. A medium sized city can export 1 million dollars a day in gasoline money for cars. Free buses will reduce this considerably.
Better quality of life, priceless. In Hasselt, Belgium, when fares were removed, people in hospital started receiving more visitors.

Fare-Free Phila