Opinion: It’s time for Asheville to move to fare-free transit

citizen-times : " Right now the fares paid by riders cover 14 percent of what it costs to operate our transit system. That does not include the cost of maintaining the fare boxes, accounting, or printing tickets and passes. It also doesn’t include the cost of buying new buses, installing bus shelters and other capital expenses.

Going fare-free could potentially save the City of Asheville money by eliminating the impending investment in proposed fare boxes, which would cost upwards of $15,000 per bus. Other cities that have gone fare-free realized the fares generated barely cover the expenses of collecting fares, purchasing and maintaining fare boxes, accounting costs, and managing the funds that are collected."

Oil-trolls wreck #publictransit, tell poor to get a car

Dallas News: "But for the working poor, that dollar-a-day boost in bus and train fares — which comes to $5 a week or more than $20 a month — takes on meaning beyond the comprehension of those who've never lived in poverty."

Car culture has the elderly under house arrest

theeagle.com: "As the transportation needs of the aging baby boomer population increase, researchers and service providers are at a crossroads as they seek to find effective solutions for the challenges impeding availability and accessibility -- particularly to those living in rural areas."