Should public transportation be free for citizens-

As the city with the highest fare evasion rate in public transportation worldwide, New York had an evasion rate of 18% even before the COVID-19 pandemic. By comparison, Paris recorded an 11% fare evasion rate, Toronto only 5%, and London, where fines can reach $1,000, had a mere 1.5%. Currently, fare evasion on New York’s buses has skyrocketed to 50%, prompting the question: should public transit simply be made free for everyone?

Leftist advocates argue that public transportation should be treated as a public service, similar to public education and police services, funded entirely by taxpayer dollars without additional fees. However, New York’s public transit system, particularly its century-old subway, is frequently under repair, upgrading, and infrastructure renewal, all of which come with significant costs. Despite continuously increasing fares, the New York transit system still faces funding shortfalls and relies on the controversial “congestion charge” to fill budget gaps. Implementing a completely free fare system could place an immense burden on an already strained government budget. This could lead to higher taxes or cuts in other public services, and taxpayers would likely be the first to object.

To incentivize residents to use public transportation and pay their fares, Hong Kong’s government has implemented a commendable strategy. After the pandemic, to encourage citizens to get out and stimulate spending, Hong Kong offers cash rebates based on monthly spending with their public transport Octopus card. Essentially, the more one spends on public transit, the more cash they receive back each month. With real, tangible incentives, citizens are more motivated to pay for the rising costs of public transit.

Data shows that more frequent users of New York’s public transport include low-income families, students, and the elderly. Simply raising fares will only increase the financial burden on these already struggling groups. If the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New York City officials genuinely want to tackle the fare evasion issue at its roots, they should offer targeted discounts or free rides for specific demographics rather than making the service completely free for everyone.