"Chicago policymakers should make public transit free"

But instead of listening to this kind of scaremongering about a nonexistent “war on police,” or to those who argue for the sanctity of the illogical idea of “blue life,” however, Chicago policymakers need to listen to residents who are actually impacted by police and gun violence. Chicago policymakers should make public transit free, and they should not flood that transit with heavily armed police, which is an expensive and inefficient attempt to solve the CTA’s problems that also threatens the lives of people of color and the poor. We should not repeat New York’s failed policy.

https://southsideweekly.com/op-ed-towards-free-carbon-free-police-free-cta/ 

Dakota County, MN, #freepublictransit program extended and expanded

Dakota County is extending its free DakotaLink bus service for one year, while also opening it up to all residents.

https://www.twincities.com/2020/03/10/dakota-county-opens-up-free-transit-service-to-the-public-makes-stops-in-hastings-eagan-and-west-st-paul/?

Minnesota candidate calls for #freepublictransit

@OmarFatehMN

The freedom of movement is very important to an open and free society. Personal automobiles will always be less sustainable and accessible than public transit. Therefore, we must expand our system of public transportation statewide and make it free.

https://omarfateh.org/environment.html 

Make #publictransit free for youth - @activetrans

5 steps to building a more fair and just transit system🚍

✅Decriminalize fare evasion
✅Implement fare capping
✅Move forward w/ Metra Electric/Rock island pilot
✅Make transit free for youth
✅Fund a discounted fare for low-income riders#FairFaresChi https://t.co/XXLc5mM064

— Active Trans (@activetrans) November 19, 2019

2010 - Rod Blagojevich railroaded by oil-auto-sprawl interests

Both sides vowed to keep up the court fight after the jury found Blagojevich, 53, guilty on a lesser charge of making false statements to the FBI but could not reach a verdict on the remaining 23 counts including racketeering, bribery, and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.
The conviction carries a maximum prison term of five years, though the former governor is likely to serve a few months to a year in prison if nothing changes during the retrial of the case, a legal expert told ABC News.

https://abcnews.go.com/WN/rod-blagojevich-trial-guilty-24-counts-jury-deadlocks/story?id=11411037

In spite of heavy spin by ABC corporate media [above] the fact remains that Blagojevich was cleared of 23 out of 24 counts by the grand jury. At that time the penalty was 5 years. Later, since they couldn't get the courts to jail him, oil-auto-sprawl had the case referred to the assembly where he was quickly given 14 years. All this for winning free public transit for seniors.

"free fares will increase ridership" -- Twin Cities

“Free fares are important for several reasons — climate, equity, safety,” said Amity Foster, of the Twin Cities Transit Riders Union, a local advocacy group. “They’re a way for us to address our climate crisis; moving people out of their cars and onto public transit is essential and free fares will increase ridership.”

http://m.startribune.com/after-kansas-city-made-transit-free-what-about-the-twin-cities/566721742/ 

Candidate for Minnesota House calls for #freepublictransit

@SoniaNeculescu

Twin Cities Transit Riders call for fare-free #publictransit

@TCTRU

Kansas City considering fare-free #publictransit

..., Kansas City Area Transportation Authority buses are seldom packed. Even at rush hour, many are less than full, and some buses run almost completely empty in the middle of the day. But in downtown, thousands of residents and visitors each month gladly hop on and off the Kansas City Streetcar Authority’s Main Street streetcar line. Cost to ride the streetcar: zero. 

Put these facts together and it seems like it might be a good idea if public transit everywhere in Kansas City became free to use.

https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/kansas-city-considers-doing-away-with-transit-fares-citywide 

Kansas City, MO, transit agency wants to end fares

Free public transportation is a bold initiative, and the head of Kansas City's regional transit agency thinks it's viable for Kansas City.

https://www.kcur.org/post/head-kansas-city-s-bus-system-says-public-transportation-should-be-free#stream/0