124. Free Ride

Last week, public transit ended the Ride-Free Area (RFA) a one by one-half mile area downtown where all bus rides were free (though of course if one entered the bus in the RFA and continued as a passenger outside the zone, the full fare would be collected at exit).

It started in 1973 as a friendly nod to tourists and to encourage downtown shoppers, but many (most?) riders were the homeless and/or the disabled.  Advocates for the latter groups opposed its end, citing the need for free rides so that these citizens could get to clinics and grocery stores and shelters.  The city has been paying the transit $400,000 yearly for the service and last year decided could afford to do so no longer.

But the disabled have 75 cent fares already, and there are no hospitals/clinics within the RFA, no public housing, just one large shelter.  I don't think it served logistic goals, but simply provided a warm, dry place to sit for at least 15-20 minutes during the long days until shelters open or until darkness allows sleep in doorways or underpasses.

I doubt that transit will see much in the way of increased fares; shoppers and tourists will walk or change plans, and the homeless, well, the homeless will continue as before.  Transit says it will provide more free passes to aid agencies and a free circulating bus/van has started, though its continued funding remains uncertain.  I'm sorry to see the end of the RFA.