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Fare-free transit offers key benefits to working class communities
Affordability, equity, faster service, increased ridership, better health and access, and safer operator conditions — the benefits to fare-free transit are numerous. So numerous, in fact, that we wrote a White Paper to analyze and explain them.
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Fare-free makes the whole system better!
Going fare-free has benefits far beyond an extra five quarters.
Reduces dwell time by making boarding faster, which will in turn help the buses run on time
Creates safer working conditions, because fare disputes are the primary driver of assaults against bus operators. Kansas City saw a nearly 40% drop in crime after they got rid of fares
Increases ridership which gets cars out of traffic lanes and parking spots.
Funds the public transit system, since most of LBT's budget is from county and state grants which give money based on ridership. Getting more people on the bus, gets us more money for the bus.
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I know what you're thinking,
"There’s no such thing as a free ride. Who will pay for this?"
We already pay for it! Twice! Tax dollars make up a bulk of the funding for public transportation. So while drivers don’t pay to use roads or park on most city streets, bus riders have to pay at the point of service again for something their tax dollars already support.
Shouldn’t we use fares to expand transit rather than make service free?
Across the U.S., transit agencies have actually seen an increase in funding when going fare-free. Fare-free increases demand and typically results in more sustainable funding mechanisms beyond the unstable fare revenue can actually help long-term viability of transit systems. In addition, service cuts are rare in fare-free systems because riders use the system more regularly.
Why not just make buses free for those who need it?
Long Beach Transit does offer several subsidies for low income riders, students, disabled and elderly riders. But these means-tested programs require additional bureaucracy, advertising costs, and create unnecessary barriers for eligible residents. These inefficiencies and additional costs go away with a fare free system. Going Fare-Free gives help, not homework, to those who need it.
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Action items you can take right now:
Read our White Paper, and learn the pathways to a fare-free LBT;
If you ride the bus, take our transit rider survey;
Join DSA-LB Fare-Free Working Group, then come to the next meeting!
Upcoming Fare-Free Events
Whether a meeting, panel, or door-knocking, these are places you can show up to learn more and be part of the DSA-LB Fare-Free LBT Campaign!
Featured
Fare Free LBT Working Group
6x,
2 Locations
Long Beach Transit is one of the best ways to get around our city. Not only does it support students, workers, and those with disabilities, but it also allows people to move within the city and not just through it.
DSA-LB is organizing a campaign made of a mass coalition of transit riders and local organizations to demand a fare-free bus system in Long Beach by the 2028 Olympics.
Agenda for upcoming meetings:
September 2nd: Virtual Decision-Making Meeting on Zoom, 6-8pmNewer members especially are welcome to learn about the campaign! This is one of the deliberation and decision-making meetings this month for our campaign. Members will get to discuss the work we have done so far, introduce and vote on important proposals, and decide how to direct our resources this month.
September 16: Hybrid Working Meeting at Trademark Brewing, 6-8pmBring your laptops and grab a drink! We will be working on high-priority campaign tasks and projects. Members who can't be in-person can join through the Zoom link to participate. Warning: in-person attendance carries the risk of joining after-meeting hangs.
September 30: Virtual Decision-Making Meeting on Zoom, 6-8pmNewer members especially are welcome to learn about the campaign! This is the second of the deliberation and decision-making meetings this month for our campaign. Members will get to discuss the work we have done so far, introduce and vote on important proposals, and decide how to direct our resources for the next month.
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