News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on D.C. free bus bill becomes law as zero-fare transit systems take off. Parent comment

Re:D.C. free bus bill becomes law as zero-fare transit syste... by woodruffw on Tuesday January 31, 2023 @01:00AM (#34591762)
Tallinn is the most famous free one, I think. In terms of nominal pricing, I was thinking of Grenoble, where it was around $2 USD equivalent when I was there there.

Edit: Another example is Prague, which is around $1.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:D.C. free bus bill becomes law as zero-fare transit syste... by loeg on Tuesday January 31, 2023 @01:10AM (#34591829)
~$2 fares are common in the US and I would not describe that as "free or nominally priced."
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:D.C. free bus bill becomes law as zero-fare transit syste... by woodruffw on Tuesday January 31, 2023 @01:13AM (#34591853)
Okay, but do an in-kind comparison: can I take a public tram for ~$2 in similarly sized US cities?

I can’t think of many; the first that comes to mind is Portland’s MAX, which is $2.50, has a smaller network with longer headways, and services a much larger metropolitan area as justification for its existence.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:D.C. free bus bill becomes law as zero-fare transit syste... by Rebelgecko on Tuesday January 31, 2023 @02:33AM (#34592368)
Not sure how the headway and network size compare, but Los Angeles light rail is $1.75. Good deal when you compare the cost of living to most of Europe!
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:D.C. free bus bill becomes law as zero-fare transit syste... by loeg on Tuesday January 31, 2023 @10:48AM (#34596605)
I agree that some European cities subsidize transit somewhat more than most similar-sized US metros.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:D.C. free bus bill becomes law as zero-fare transit syste... by alibarber on Tuesday January 31, 2023 @02:07AM (#34592187)
Tallinn is not (all?) free. The tram is at least €1.50 for 90 mins transfer. Helsinki is €3.10

I live in Helsinki and spent a lot of time last year in Tallinn - the ‘transit is free in Europe’ thing is very much an exception rather than a rule.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:D.C. free bus bill becomes law as zero-fare transit syste... by yasinaydin on Wednesday February 01, 2023 @05:11AM (#34608579)
Free public travel is only for Tallinn residents (main address registered inside Tallinn city borders).

I think there's also free public travel for tourists with cars if they park their car (in certain places or under certain circumstances).

[ Parent | on HN ]