I wrote this last month about the benefits of #FreeTransit and why transit advocates should not fall into the trap of either-or ("either free fares or more service") thinking. That isn't how the politics of funding public services works.
In Denton, TX, labor leaders are fighting a proposal to cut public bus service and replace it with “predatory microtransit,” or so-called “on demand” rides provided by nonunion workers misclassified as contractors. https://nobuscutsdenton.org #transit #TransitTooter
https://ismunifree.com is updated and has your quick summary of free/expanded Bay Area transit service for New Year's Eve!
#transit #freeTransit #sfba #muni #bart #Caltrain #ACTransit #SamTrans
What are the most scenic Bay Area bus rides?
So far I’ve got:
SamTrans 110: oceans and beaches near Pacifica
Muni 25: Treasure Island, Bay, downtown SF
Muni 33: central SF, Castro area
Muni 44: Glen Canyon
Muni 66: Sunset District esp at sunset
Finally! At long last, #Muni is going to be free.*
*from 8pm New Year’s Eve to 5am New Year’s Day
Here's a little follow-up to my Chronicle op-ed that focuses on #FreeTransit. It's for more of an urbanist audience, about why all #transit advocates should get behind transit becoming fare-free, at least in theory—and, when there's a proposal that's thoughtful, practical and coupled with increased/improved service, in practice too.
From a friend. Hey SFMTA, how about stop whining about your operator shortage (which has been the excuse for not restoring service for over a year) and start solving it like Boston? #transit
Pretty exciting to see free fares on the table for LA Metro. Fares only supplied 5% of revenue. That should make it an easy call to make the system more approachable - "just hop on."
There was an LA Metro presentation slide (anyone have the link?) that estimated a higher ridership gain from free fares than from all of Metro's planned capital projects put together. #FreeTransit #transit #transitTooter https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/fare-collection/news/21289641/ca-should-las-train-and-bus-rides-be-free-karen-bass-may-soon-decide
#FreeTransit is having a moment. In just the past week I've heard about a successful one-month free fare pilot in Colorado: https://coloradosun.com/2022/12/01/zero-fare-colorado-air-pollution/
New Haven and Hartford considering making free fares permanent: https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/fare-collection/news/21288804/ct-free-bus-fare-extended-through-march-31-but-new-haven-hartford-leaders-want-it-permanent
and New York City exploring free buses: https://www.thecity.nyc/transportation/2022/12/8/23499257/fare-free-nyc-buses-mta-boost
"San Francisco’s 19th Avenue saw a fivefold increase in carbon dioxide levels between 2020 and 2021."
This article fails to mention Muni transit service on 19th Ave has been cut from 12 buses/hour pre-pandemic to 4-5 buses/hour now. #Transit austerity has consequences. #TransitTooter #sfpol https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/SF-air-quality-17633562.php
city loving #socialist, #vegan, into #hiking, #bikes #BikeTooter, #transit, #carfree living. read a lot and drink lots of tea and coffee. learning guitar. post a lot about local stuff #sfpol #bikesf