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A comment on Iowa City made its buses free. traffic cleared, and so did the air. Parent comment

Re:Iowa City made its buses free. traffic cleared, and so di... by potato3732842 on Monday November 24, 2025 @10:51AM (#46035399)
>Free roads and highways: GOOD AND NATUAL

Every time you fuel up a vehicle you are paying a "fare" to use the road. The fare is subsidized (just like with the bus), but it is very much there and not zero.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Iowa City made its buses free. traffic cleared, and so di... by freen on Monday November 24, 2025 @12:09PM (#46036317)
Every time you earn money/spend money you are paying taxes.

I guess busses run on fairy dust too?

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Iowa City made its buses free. traffic cleared, and so di... by potato3732842 on Monday November 24, 2025 @12:26PM (#46036548)
>Every time you earn money/spend money you are paying taxes.

>I guess busses run on fairy dust too?

Every vehicle on the roads is basically paying to be there via fuel tax (which in whole or large part is spent on the roads). Busses pass some of this cost on to their riders who's fare may be then subsidized in part or full.

I don't see why you're being so hysterical.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Iowa City made its buses free. traffic cleared, and so di... by BobaFloutist on Monday November 24, 2025 @12:34PM (#46036662)
What if I drive an electric vehicle? Sure, my registration is possibly pricier, but I'm in no way paying a usage fee.
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Re:Iowa City made its buses free. traffic cleared, and so di... by potato3732842 on Monday November 24, 2025 @12:36PM (#46036698)
You're being subsidized because the .gov decides they want more of you so they make what you do artificially cheap compared to the baseline.
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Re:Iowa City made its buses free. traffic cleared, and so di... by BobaFloutist on Monday November 24, 2025 @12:44PM (#46036798)
That's what we're suggesting be done for public transit
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