1

The Possible Advantages and Disadvantages of Fare-Free Public Transport

Mirjam J. O. Stoppels

Academic Core, University College Roosevelt

ACCOMM102 Academic Writing and Presenting

Dr Anya Luscombe

November 23, 2022

Word count: 604
 2

The Possible Advantages and Disadvantages of Fare-Free Public Transport

The Dutch are used to expensive public transport, for the costs in the Netherlands are 35%

higher than the average for European countries (Van Dijke, 2019). However, in some countries in

Europe, public transport is even free. This essay will examine the evidence for and against

implementing fare-free public transport (FFPT). The environmental, economic and social dimensions

of FFPT will be investigated.

Firstly, one of the main reasons to implement FFPT is to reduce car usage. In 2019 13% of all

greenhouse gas emissions in the UK were from passenger cars (Climate Change Committee, 2020), so

encouraging the use of public transport reduces emissions and therefore reduces the impact on the

environment (Girod et al., 2013). This proved effective in Aubagne in France: there was a 136%

increase in public transport usage after the implementation of FFPT, and 63% of those new trips

would otherwise have been done with motorised vehicles (Kębłowski, 2019). However, it is not

always as effective, as illustrated by the city Templin in Germany: after implementing FFPT ridership

increased by 1200% but only 10-20% of substitutions were from cars, FFPT mainly attracted cyclists

and pedestrians (Cats et al., 2016). This switch from walking or cycling to public transport only

increases emissions, and therefore is not sustainable. There are many more examples that support

either side of the discussion.

Additionally, it is essential to scrutinise the economic aspects when considering FFPT. It can

generate profit, as is evident from a scheme in the Estonian capital Tallinn in 2013. FFPT was

implemented for residents only, making it more appealing to register as a citizen. This resulted in tax

revenues almost twice as high as the sum of the abolition of transport fares and the costs as a

response to higher demands. In most cases, however, the government expenses for public transport

will increase greatly when implementing FFPT. This is because there are no more revenues and

because there will be an increase in ridership (Kębłowski, 2019). In Hasselt, Belgium, the amount of

money spent by the authorities on public transport was four times higher seven years after
 3

implementing FFPT (Van Hulten, 2006). This financial dimension is often the reason for the

reintroduction of fares (Kębłowski, 2019). So in most cases, FFPT is economically disadvantageous,

but it does not have to be in every situation.

Finally, a beneficial effect of FFPT could be that it reduces social isolation, mainly amongst

marginalised groups. Reinhard et al. (2018) discovered that a free bus pass used by older English

adults benefitted mental health. They found that more frequent use of a fare-free bus pass was

associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms, and with an increase in volunteering and face-

to-face contact with children and friends. FFPT is thought to be especially beneficial in working-class

cities such as Dunkirk where “people of limited means say they have rediscovered transport – a

prerequisite to finding a job, maintaining friendships or participating in local arts and culture .”

(Kinniburgh, 2019). Snippe (2018), however, suggests that FFPT on its own is not enough to

accomplish this. While FFPT tackles the problem of public transport, it does not provide affordable

activities. This means that, in addition to FFPT, a bigger structure would have to be set up to

effectively reduce isolation, but it could be a step in the right direction.  

To conclude, whether FFPT will be feasible and effective depends on the situation. It

significantly reduces car usage in some situations, but sometimes it mainly attracts pedestrians and

cyclists. A downside is that in most cases – although not in all - it will be a financial strain on the

government. However, a positive effect is that it could help to reduce loneliness among minorities.

So ultimately there is no clear answer to whether implementing FFPT is a good idea for a certain

region, its success is influenced by a great variety of factors.  

 4

References

Cats, O., Susilo, Y. O., & Reimal, T. (2016). The prospects of fare-free public transport: evidence from Tallinn.

Transportation, 44(5), 1083–1104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-016-9695-5

Climate Change Committee. (2020). The Sixth Carbon Budget: Public Transport.

https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sector-summary-Surface-transport.pdf

Girod, B., van Vuuren, D. P., & de Vries, B. (2013). Influence of travel behavior on global CO2 emissions.

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 50, 183–197.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2013.01.046

Hulten, M. H. M. (2006). ‘Gratis’ openbaar vervoer: het vergeten toekomstbeeld, een eigen wijze

verkeerspolitiek : een politieke keuze. Bohn Stafleu van Loghum.

Kębłowski, W. (2019). Why (not) abolish fares? Exploring the global geography of fare-free public transport.

Transportation, 47(6), 2807–2835. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-019-09986-6

Kinniburgh, C. (2019, September 2). The French city of Dunkirk tests out free transport – and it works. France

24. https://www.france24.com/en/20190831-france-dunkirk-free-transportation-bus-success-

climate-cities

Reinhard, E., Courtin, E., van Lenthe, F. J., & Avendano, M. (2018). Public transport policy, social engagement

and mental health in older age: a quasi-experimental evaluation of free bus passes in England.

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 72(5), 361–368. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2017-

210038

Snippe, J. (2008). Evaluatie gratis openbaar vervoer 65+-ers Rotterdam. Intraval.

Van Dijke, W. (2019, January 3). Vervoersdiensten in Nederland duurste van EU. RTL Nieuws.

https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/4533651/openbaar-vervoer-nederland-duurste-

van-eu-dit-waarom