"People will pay, just indirectly." Exactly, but indirect payment doesn't add friction. It depends on what you want to achieve, but limitless use of public tra

"People will pay, just indirectly." Exactly, but indirect payment doesn't add friction. It depends on what you want to achieve, but limitless use of public transport isn't all good. For example, in many cities public transport operates at full capacity, at least in some hours. If free unlimited use results in even more passengers, it depends on where these additional passengers are coming from. If most of them were previously driving a car, you are reducing the number of cars. But if most didn't travel at all before, you may actually increase the number of cars, because some people won't like the crowds and switch to using cars.