Debate
Proposition
Paris should eliminate all fares on the RATP Metro and Bus
networks, the RER and the Transilien rail services to promote social equality, human
welfare and environmental goals.
For the Affirmative Roland, Nordine, and Mockhorty
For the Negative Sylvain, Romain, Alexandra, and Antonio
Background
A number of transit networks predominately in small cities
in France,
Czech Republic and the United States charge no fare for customers to use their
services.
Advantages
Operational benefits
Faster boarding and shorter dwell times
Shorter trip times
Fewer disputes with aggressive
Commercial benefits
Some services are funded by private businesses (such as the
merchants in a shopping district). Employers often operate free shuttles as a
benefit to their employees
Community benefits
Zero-fare transport can make the system more accessible and
fair for low-income residents
Decreased road congestion
Faster average road speeds
Fewer traffic accidents,
Less demand for parking
Reduced wear and tear on roads
Decreased air pollution and noise pollution from road
traffic
Global benefits
Zero-fare public transport could mitigate the problems of
global warming and oil depletion.
Disadvantages
Several large North American municipalities have attempted
zero-fare systems, but many of these implementations have been unsuccessful.
A 2002 Department of Transport report suggests that, while
transit ridership does tend to increase, there are also some serious
disadvantages to converting to fare-free operation:
Vandalism and hooliganism
Transit vehicles become de
facto homeless shelters
Loss of revenue
A significant increase in driver complaints and staff
turnover, (even though farebox-related arguments are all but eliminated)
Slower service overall due to crowding
Declines in schedule adherence
Increased costs in security and vehicle-maintenance
US DOT
reports that while ridership does increase overall, the ultimate goal of
reducing emissions by enticing drivers to take transit instead is rarely met.
The fare-free systems tend to attract large numbers of
hooligans, vagrants and other "problem riders", zero-fare systems
often have the effect of frightening potential riders back into their cars—the
exact opposite of the desired effect.
For more information see: Jennifer S. Perone, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FARE-FREETRANSIT POLICY, NCTR Report Number: NCTR-473-133, BC137-38 Center for Urban Transportation Research, University
of South Florida, Tampa, Florida October 2002
