Does anyone know of ways that economic benefits to a community deriving from free public transportation can be carefully characterized, and which could be used to build political will? Are there examples of communities that have eliminated bus fares and gained substantial benefits?

‘Free’ public transit too pricey for here: Hamilton’s idea would cost 5 times more in Ottawa / TIM WIECLAWSKIJuly 07, 2008 11:19

http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/Local/article/80207

Excerpt: "The head of Ottawa’s transit committee estimates it would cost taxpayers $500 more a year to offer free public transit here, as the City of Hamilton is considering doing.

As fares make up roughly half of OC Transpo’s operating budget, Coun. Alex Cullen said doubling the existing transit levy would be a simple way to estimate how much a free service would cost the average taxpayer in Ottawa."