For Star subscribers: Tucson’s transit system has always been inexpensive. In 2020 it was made free as a COVID-19 mitigation measure. Now, some council members want to make it permanent – is it worth the city taxpayer dollars?
Sam Kmack City officials are considering a permanent fare-free transit system, an initiative that is intended to keep money in the pockets of those who rely on bus, streetcar and Sun Van rides to get around — but the money typical riders could save each month is about the cost of a tank of gas.
Brian Flagg, a founding member of the Tucson Bus Riders Union, believes eliminating fares is worth the cost to city taxpayers. He said $40 in monthly savings, while relatively small, could make a significant difference to some of the city's poorest transit users. Before the pandemic, the City Council's goal was to reduce that general fund loss by attracting more transit customers who would, in turn, generate more fare revenue. Officials have yet to refocus on that goal, but appealing to more riders at this point might be trickier than it was.
“Do we see homeless people on our system? Of course. I think that’s part of what our mayor and council are trying to do, they’re trying to help them get to health care appointments, to employment opportunities, I think that’s kind of where they wanted to go with this,” Crowninshield said. “We’re trying to allow them to have some opportunities to get where they need to go.”
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