I hate it, its discussions, and its annoying supporters. It seems
>>1455460>Should it be payed for by all taxpayers or only the ones that use it?It's a matter of value and efficiency.
Value:
1. Use the money to expand service, not make existing service "free". No, resources aren't unlimited. Tell me when you have the most frequent coverage everywhere before making it free.
2. If I value it, I want to pay for it.
Efficency: Fare is a great method to price riding behavior. (eg: dispersing peak travel, shifting congested rides to underutilized services, discouraging short-distance travel on long-distance services)
Affordability and fare control should be solved by other means (eg: subsidy, discounts; monthly pass, proof-of-payment, off-board payment). Induced demand is undesirable as well.
If anything, it is low population areas with low ridership that may consider free public transport, as the cost of collection outweights the benefit. Europe is not such a situation, and the payment/fare system is a worthy investment. Rich citizens (which Luxembourg is facing) will not simply shift to mass transit because it is made free. Public transport needs to be enhanced, and car use regulated.
