Freakonomics Radio 513. Should Public Transit Be Free?
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Aug 25, 2022 Michelle Wu, the Mayor of Boston, passionately argues for free public transit, emphasizing its role in boosting economic mobility and racial equity. Brian Taylor, a transportation scholar from UCLA, delves into the complexities of public transit systems and how they interact with private vehicle use. The discussion highlights successful case studies like Kansas City's fare-free initiative and debunks myths about traffic congestion. Together, they explore the environmental benefits of free transit and the social implications for low-income communities.
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Planka's Fare Dodging
- Markus Fienbom, a traffic planner in Stockholm, was a transit activist.
- He and his group, Planka, developed a system for dodging fares and a solidarity fund to pay fines.
Planka's Goal
- Planka's primary goal was not just fare dodging, but to challenge the idea of paid public transit.
- They aimed to promote a city that is open and accessible to everyone.
Transformative Transit
- Michelle Wu, mayor of Boston, believes a free public transit system would be transformative.
- She argues it would improve the city's economy, climate, and opportunity.