I think it's a great idea. Certainly worth some serious analysis, if there's an overall financial gain to the economy then do it. Whether the fiscal stimulus freeing up all of that money for individuals is probably the crucial factor. From an environmental point of view, it's got to be worth a look.
The last available figures seem to show rail fares income of £9.7bn pa - I've also seen a figure suggesting bus fares income around £3bn. Add in odds and ends like trams, ferries etc and it looks like around £14bn. That's getting on for around a 30% increase in the annual government deficit. (Or extra taxation)
Of course, if fares are zero there will probably be a significant cost increase to meet demand.
But - in many areas - even a small reduction in car usage (and I presume that's what you mean by the environmental point of view) would require a huge increase in public transport provision, which may not even be possible in some areas.
People of above average abilities tend to earn above average incomes.
I'd prefer my decision makers to be people of above average abilities. They are therefore likely to earn above average incomes.
And the reason free public transport wouldn't work is primarily because of practical issues, not politics.
Every day spent in this country is a day disproving the theory that there is any connection between salary level and ability. This is demonstrated by the fact that I earn above the average level
Every day spent in this country is a day disproving the theory that there is any connection between salary level and ability. This is demonstrated by the fact that I earn above the average level
Having stumbled upon the below article from the Yahoo website (see https://uk.news.yahoo.com/germany-eyes-free-transport-banish-air-pollution-190415292.html )
This has got me thinking about a couple of questions as to how it may (or may not) work in the UK.
Could large corporations put something towards the cost?
Would this be suitable for PTE areas (and also the Valley Lines network around Cardiff) to experiment with first?
Could this become permanent, or could it be trialled out for when schools are off?
Another thought that comes into mind here is that there could be a possibility of Phillip Green (former British Home Stores) could easily slip a few cheques as he hides his ill gotten gains from HMRC so as to dodge paying tax, and David Murray who was the former owner of the original Glasgow Rangers FC (that were in existence from 1872 to 2012) and promptly offloaded it when HMRC had caught him operating a tax dodging scam. Both of those individuals could slip something towards the cost of providing free public transport as some reparation for their misdeeds.
Apologies for indulging in necromancy here, but I have come across an article from the Independent a couple of days ago which mentions the possibility of free public transport in Luxembourg.
I have started a new thread in the International Transport section, which can be found here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/possibility-of-free-public-transport-in-luxembourg.174722/
But playing devil's advocate - given the scale of the climate crisis, this is exactly the kind of idea that needs to be considered and thoroughly costed, rather than dismissed.
You are right, although with renewable powered public transport becoming more popular, the benefits vastly outweigh the negatives IMO.I think the problem with that argument is that public transport itself causes CO2 emissions, and so contributes to the climate crisis. Provided it's well used, and buses and trains are reasonably full, in most cases it won't be nearly as much CO2 per passenger mile as a car would cause, but it still causes some emissions.
To the extent that free public transport gets people out of cars, it could help with climate change. However, free public transport will also induce some of the people who currently walk or cycle to swap to public transport. It'll also induce some new journeys, where people will make journeys 'because it's free' that they wouldn't make today. That will all knock out at least some of the CO2 gains (And discouraging walking/cycling will also have some impact on people's health).
You are right, although with renewable powered public transport becoming more popular, the benefits vastly outweigh the negatives IMO.