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I'd go that far. Making the busses "free" would have a number of benefits: 1. Drivers might be in less of a hurry. MBTA busses frequently run red lights and/or
by 6cxs2hd6 12y ago
I'd go that far. Making the busses "free" would have a number of benefits:
1. Drivers might be in less of a hurry. MBTA busses frequently run red lights and/or sit in the middle of intersections creating gridlock. [Source: Pick any busy downtown intersection during rush hour and wait <15 minutes. Watch.]
2. In my (admittedly limited) observation, Boston bus riders tend to fall into two groups.
(a) Relatively affluent riders connecting to the T (the subway or trolley). The MBTA will still get some money.
(b) Relatively poor riders commuting solely by bus to one of the multiple jobs they're holding down per day. Consider this a kind of reverse sales tax.
- martinald 12y agoThe real problem with making buses free is that they basically become homeless shelters on wheels, especially in winter. This then means people don't take the bus, which means routes get cut back, which means yet more people for take the bus. The best solution is to have cashless buses. In London, you can only use Oyster card or visa/MasterCard/Amex contact less payment cards to ride. It seems to have smoothed things considerably.
- tibbon 12y agoGood point. Just require the use of a Charliecard to get onboard. No cash. Make it easier to buy and find them online or in person.