Ridership up sharply as town in France makes buses fare-free

European cities consider making public transport free to tackle air pollution : "Niort in western France has been running free buses since last September for its 125,000 inhabitants.

The scheme has been an enormous success, boosting passenger numbers by 130 per cent on some routes, slightly reducing the number of cars on the roads, and costing the town little more than when people had to buy tickets, said mayor Jérôme Baloge."

Walnut Creek, CA, fare-free trolley

http://www.walnut-creek.org/home/showdocument?id=5230

Rēzekne, Latvia, free rides lead to 40% rise in ridership

Jūrmala mulls free public transportation for locals / Article / LSM.LV: "The scheme operational in Rēzekne, however, provides free rides for people who earn less than 90% of the average national monthly wage.

"The number of passengers has increased 40 to 50%.. Pupils and students have started to use this opportunity quite actively," says Rēzekne mayor Andrejs Rešetņikovs (Harmony). The scheme costs €320,000 to €340,000 for the city. "

Miami Beach free trolleys

@MiamiBeachNews trolleys are open for business! With over 13 thousand riders a day, our free public transportation option is ever evolving! Collins Express and South Beach loops are great rides. I encourage you to ride one of our trolleys today. pic.twitter.com/U2TKTonpwJ

— mark samuelian (@marksamuelian) March 9, 2018