With the jump in gas prices, why not just take free public transportation? Here’s why you should think twice before getting excited. This is discussed on Monday. Click the image “Monday” to listen:
It’s clear the jump in gas prices is to get people to take public transportation, as in Cincinnati’s case: https://www.wcpo.com/news/transportation-development/public-transit/metro-offers-free-rides-as-gas-prices-rise-in-cincinnati
Three bus lines in Boston are free for two years: https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/free-route-23-28-and-29-bus-program
Pittsburgh is creating infrastructure in their downtown area, by the way, that incorporates that “15 minute city” concept that is discussed in the audio above. Here’s an article that talks about Pittsburgh extending their free fare service: https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/allegheny-county-port-authority-extends-free-fares-through-next-week/
The biggest concern we should all have with this slippery slope into “something for nothing” is the concept of geo-fencing, which was illustrated here:
Jenna, from Columbus, OH writes: “Listening now.. to add to your geo fencing concerns, just a couple years ago, Columbus revamped their bus lines. The system used to be easy and intuitive, if not necessarily fast or convenient. But now, it’s just about unusable without a smart phone. Not only do the routes make no sense, they are subject to change constantly and if you don’t have a phone to tell you your stop is suddenly cancelled and you need to switch to the stop that’s 3 blocks away, you’re basically just SOL. I’m honestly just bewildered they made something so simple into such a clusterfuck. I used to be able to get all over the city without having to stop and look at bus schedules. I’m now as clueless as people who come in from out of town.”
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