Marking 20 years
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SERIES

No Fares!

No Fares!

This series by Dave Olsen, funded by readers who donated to The Tyee Fellowship for Solutions-oriented Reporting, takes a hard look at fare hikes and spending priorities by B.C.'s transit planners, as well as rising greenhouse emissions and pollution by the private automobile, and asks: Why are we creating any barriers for people who might take public transit? Olsen seeks a solution by travelling to Whidbey Island in Washington State and a Belgian big city to explore wholly tax-supported systems that don't charge riders. He finds them more efficient, civil and well-used than ours.

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In This Series

No Fares! A Reader-funded Solutions Series

No Fares! A Reader-funded Solutions Series

Is it crazy to imagine free public transit? Or crazy not to? You made possible Dave Olsen's inquiry.

David Beers / 5 Jul 2007


17 Reasons (or More) to Stop Charging People to Ride the Bus

17 Reasons (or More) to Stop Charging People to Ride the Bus

The case for Fare-Free Transit.

Dave Olsen / 5 Jul 2007


Next Door to BC, the Bus Is Free

Next Door to BC, the Bus Is Free

Fare-free transit on Whidbey Island is a 20-year success story.

Dave Olsen / 6 Jul 2007


No Hassle Transit? Try Hasselt

No Hassle Transit? Try Hasselt

Belgian city offers BC a workable, fare-free model.

Dave Olsen / 9 Jul 2007


Let's Knock Off the Fare Box

Let's Knock Off the Fare Box

Most BC transit authorities in the dark about the real costs of collecting fares.

Dave Olsen / 12 Jul 2007


Paying for 'Free' Transit

Paying for 'Free' Transit

It would take political will to shift priorities.

Dave Olsen / 13 Jul 2007