Rally for #freepublictransit with food distribution!

I support Free Public Transit since car use has hidden costs to society such as higher congestion. Free public Transit is a public good for all. #Freetransit for a more equitable and liveable #ldnont! pic.twitter.com/KIVvmt0dFx

— Dirka Prout (@DirkaProut) December 24, 2019

Free Transit Ottawa campaign launch event

Free Transit Ottawa Event

The case for free public transit in Toronto

Free public transit is a growing movement around the world.

According to Free Public Transit: And Why We Don’t Pay To Ride Elevators, there are 200 cities around the world with some form of fare-free transit, and 97 that are completely fare-free.

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, implemented free transit in 2013, and it was adopted nationwide last year. Luxembourg is another country where transit is free. The idea has also gained traction in the United States. Kansas City is set to become the first major city in North America with free public transit. On December 5, their city council voted unanimously to eliminate bus fares.
Fare-free transit makes sense. Basic mobility is essential for all people for work, household tasks and broader participation in society. Transit should be accessible to all as a public service. After all, we don’t charge user fees for libraries, parks, schools and healthcare.

https://nowtoronto.com/news/free-public-transit-toronto-john-tory/ 

Dallas has free streetcars, what about Ottawa City?

Ahem #ottcity could do this within core, key zones like bank street, or loop between market, downtown, lebreton, Gatineau; it all starts with a vision and political will @ShawnMenard1 @cmckenney @rawlsonking @MathieuFleury @JLeiper https://t.co/VwGBDqjQZK

— Toon_Dreessen (@Toon_Dreessen) December 15, 2019

Broadview, 190 year-old magazine, calls for #freepublictransit

But a step forward is not enough; a leap is needed. In September 2018, the city of Dunkirk, France, made public transit completely free for all, funded by a transport tax on companies. Within a month, the city saw ridership increase by up to 85 percent on certain routes. Dozens of other French cities have taken similar measures, and German cities are aiming for it as well. Meanwhile, Estonia introduced free public transit for the entire country in 2018, and Luxembourg plans to do the same in 2020. 

Canadian municipalities and provinces need to pursue these sorts of bold, material solutions to the flaws in our transit systems. Doing so will lessen our carbon footprint. Just as importantly, it will open our cities up so that everyone can access them, not just those who can afford to buy a car.

https://broadview.org/free-public-transit/ 

Ottawa #freetransit event January 22

We're launching a NEW campaign for #freetransit in off-peak hours, new and improved @OC_Transpo services, and democratic transit decision making at city hall! Our Campaign Launch will take place on January 22nd at Avant-Garde Bar. RSVP: https://t.co/2pqN1xpsfH ✊🚍🎙️ pic.twitter.com/KSGL2RrKAR

— Free Transit Ottawa (@freetransitott) December 12, 2019

London, ON, rally for #freepublictransit - Dec 23, 2019

https://www.facebook.com/events/799040587235321/

Should we introduce fares to reduce hospital or school crowding?

But isn’t that like saying, “Our hospitals are overcrowded so let’s start charging an entrance fee.” The problem with #freetransit 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 be that people would use it anymore than the problem with free schools is that children would attend them. https://t.co/3q6yLWwOfw

— Kevin Richardson (@KORichardson) December 9, 2019

Brantford children under 12 ride #publictransit fare-free

Agreed! I have always believed free public transport change our society dramatically when it came to helping those who lived in poverty, too. @CityBtfdTransit now offers free bus transport to all age 12 and under, which is a start. Let's keep going!!! #freetransport #freefare 🚌 https://t.co/3pPjBs4YOF

— Adrienne Roberts (@adrierob) December 8, 2019

Waterloo a backwater? Kansas City showing the way

Kansas City moves forward, Waterloo Region doesn't. https://t.co/sPLtac6ATq #ZeroFareTransit #FareFreeTransit @tomjgalloway14

— Bob Jonkman, Brantford-Brant GPC (@BobJonkmanGPC) December 6, 2019

Toronto is being "strangled" by the unsustainable #autosprawl system

Mayor John Tory is proposing a significant tax hike in order to fund billions of dollars in investments in transit and housing, a move that he says is necessary to ensure the city continues to prosper and doesn’t begin to “strangle itself” amid continued growth.

The cost of supporting the auto and sprawl system has never been sustainable. When oil was cheaper, this massive growth project was built on energy-subsidy and debt. Now the bill is due. There is only one solution -- unwind the system. Start by making buses fare-free. (Fare-free means no fare, just like fat-free or sugar-free).

When buses are fare-free (zero-fare), more will ride. The savings will begin immediately. A 1% increase in ridership in a city of 1 million would save citizens $5 million a year in petrol alone! Other costs could be cut. For example, how much is your city spending on parking - including parking enforcement? See this blog on how fossil fuel, autos, and sprawl are subsidized. 

Oshawa group has launched a campaign advocating for zero fare transit

OSHAWA — An Oshawa group has launched a campaign advocating for zero fare transit in Durham Region in an effort to battle climate change and fight economic inequality in the region. 

Jesse Cullen and Lucian Mailloux are executive committee members of We Are Oshawa, an Oshawa organization that advocates for progressive causes, which launched the campaign in November. 

“To us, we can’t afford not to do it,” said Cullen. “We know that ridership increases when fares are decreased and ridership drives routes and ridership drives funding from the province and the feds so funding will come with ridership and we hope that this is the type of thing that pays for itself.”

https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/9749657-should-durham-move-to-zero-fare-public-transit-/? 

Toronto #publictransit riders are punished with bigger fines to discourage riding

#FreeTransit posters popping up around Toronto pic.twitter.com/v7aJubQmLp

— Free Transit Toronto (@FreeTransitTO) December 3, 2019

The cost of cars in Ontario

A Free Public Transit in GTA Vs. cost of driving?
Transportation accounts for 33% of the emissions in GTA. $Billions a year on fossil fuels subsidies. Traffic Gridlock and Congestion costs about $11 billion a year to the economy. And $billions on new roads and maintenance. ???? pic.twitter.com/q1OUlyIhZE

— Majid Babaie (@bermova) December 2, 2019