Shoshana 🏳️‍⚧️Feb 8, 2025

In Massachusetts, one of our regional transit providers found that eliminating fares:

• Saved time and maintenance
• Lowered rider complaints
• Eliminated conflict between drivers and riders
• Led to 60% higher ridership than pre-pandemic

This is while the nearby MBTA's ridership is down 36%.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2025/02/06/meva-study-finds-benefits-of-axing-fares-far-exceed-lost-revenue

MeVa Study Finds Benefits of Axing Fares 'Far Exceed' Lost Revenue - Streetsblog Massachusetts

The MeVa Advisory Board voted on Thursday to adopt a "permanent" fare-free policy on all its routes.

Show threadJohn GordonFeb 8, 2025
@LilahTovMoon @SpaceLifeForm In MSP light rail we ended up with folks using it as a warm dry place to smoke various things. Fares back now, slow improvement.
Show threadEvanFeb 9, 2025
@jgordon @LilahTovMoon @SpaceLifeForm it's Boston we have people smoking in the stations and in the trains anyway. There aren't enough inspectors.
Show threadJohn GordonFeb 9, 2025
@scribblesonnapkins @LilahTovMoon @SpaceLifeForm Good to know we have company!
Show threadEvanFeb 9, 2025
@jgordon @LilahTovMoon @SpaceLifeForm Yeah but the point remains having the fare doesn't stop that. It's also the wrong way to stop it. More inspectors reduce other issues from people not following the rules.
Show threadJohn GordonFeb 10, 2025
@scribblesonnapkins @LilahTovMoon @SpaceLifeForm I think they are worried about inspectors being assaulted.
Show threadEvanFeb 10, 2025
@jgordon @LilahTovMoon @SpaceLifeForm no I was there for the board meeting. It's just that inspectors cost less than "transit ambassadors"
Show threadJohn Gordon

@scribblesonnapkins @LilahTovMoon @SpaceLifeForm I meant in MSP. It isn’t spoken out loud because that would mess up recruitment. Here we are trying a combination of restoring fares and having ambassadors who cautiously engage (not worth getting shot over someone’s meth habit).

We will see it it works. The meth on the light rail has made it unusable.

Feb 10, 2025 at 1:57pmWeb