Not just employment, but all sorts of things. For example, the NYPL runs all sorts of free classes at its various branches. People could also more easily access other services. Plus, if the buses are free and reliable, it could also provide incentive for people to just go out and do stuff that they might otherwise not. Even if you’re doing okay financially, something like the cost of gas and parking, in addition to the actual tickets, could discourage you from going to a concert or a baseball game. If there’s a convenient enough bus option for you that doesn’t cost anything, you might go out and spend some money you otherwise wouldn’t have.
Plus, I would argue it would also make a city more attractive to anyone looking to move to a new city, which could bring in more money to local businesses and expand the tax base for the city.
You have a good point. If money is no longer a barrier to transport, the entire city would be open to everyone. That would increase incentive to have outings.
I think free busses would have a return in investment (apart from quality of life).
A better connected city, transport wise, opens up new job opportunities or places to go for citizens, which can increase tax revenue.
More people using busses also means less cars (probably) and by extension, less pollution, which can save costs.
I’m not sure how much of a return those, and probably other stuff would give, but I think it’s more than nothing.
Maybe someone knows better.
Not just employment, but all sorts of things. For example, the NYPL runs all sorts of free classes at its various branches. People could also more easily access other services. Plus, if the buses are free and reliable, it could also provide incentive for people to just go out and do stuff that they might otherwise not. Even if you’re doing okay financially, something like the cost of gas and parking, in addition to the actual tickets, could discourage you from going to a concert or a baseball game. If there’s a convenient enough bus option for you that doesn’t cost anything, you might go out and spend some money you otherwise wouldn’t have.
Plus, I would argue it would also make a city more attractive to anyone looking to move to a new city, which could bring in more money to local businesses and expand the tax base for the city.
You have a good point. If money is no longer a barrier to transport, the entire city would be open to everyone. That would increase incentive to have outings.