Albuquerque is the largest U.S. city yet to offer free rides on its entire system of buses with a one-year pilot program that launched at the beginning of the year.
"On Jan. 1, Albuquerque started a year-long experiment: allowing everyone to use city buses — which normally cost $1 per ride — for free," reports Savannah Maher for Marketplace.
Albuquerque is joining a growing list of cities to offer fare-free access to some or all bus routes in the city. Maher lists cities like Missoula, Montana, Olympia, Washington, and Richmond, Virginia as examples. The mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, also recently announced a plan to make some bus routes in that city free to ride. "But with more than half a million residents, Albuquerque is the largest U.S. city to experiment with zero-fare transit at this scale," according to Maher.
Lan Sena, city council representative for the west side of the city, home to "a lot of people we’ve come to know as essential workers," is quoted in the article saying that fare-free transit will attract riders back to the system and give low-income residents a break during tough times.
The article digs into some of the personal experiences of bus riders in Albuquerque and some of the implications of fare-free transit in the broader field of transportation planning and funding.
FULL STORY: Albuquerque’s bus system starts zero-fare experiment for 2022
Opinion: Free Fares Won’t Solve the Transit Crisis
“The biggest US transit agencies must be allowed to simply focus on delivering high-quality service. There is no Plan B.”
Free Rides, Overnight Service Considered for Metro Transit in D.C.
Washington, D.C. councilmembers are making a bold commitment to public transit.
D.C. Metro Seeks Public Input on Proposed Service Cuts
D.C. Metro Seeks Public Input on Proposed Service Cuts
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.
San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service