In New Orleans, young people will soon be able to sign up for a free transit pass. This 12-month pilot programme is set to start in September 2024, targeting residents aged 16-24. Officials are hoping that this will connect vulnerable youth to more education, recreation, and job opportunities.

From September 2024, Orleans Parish residents between the ages of 16 and 24 will be able to enrol for a free transit pass at any public library branch. The American Rescue Plan Act is the funding source behind this project with a budget allocation of about 2.5 million USD. A majority of the funding will go to the Regional Transit Authority, RTA. The transit advocacy group RIDE New Orleans will also receive a portion of the money to advertise and offer support.

Tackling inequalities through free public transport

RIDE has long advocated for reliable and affordable transportation. According to a 2022 report by the advocacy organisation, this is a vital need for youth, who often have less disposable income to meet their needs. The ability to independently navigate the city can help provide opportunities and build life skills like time management.

In this context, young people under the age of 18 are a special category of transit users, according to RIDE. The organisation supports providing fare-free public transport for them: “[It] is a win-win with many benefits including economic, environmental, and social. Transit agencies, city government, community partners, and other stakeholders should work together to find a solution that meets the transit needs of youth without compromising services.”

The organisation mentions economic and environmental benefits to free public transport, as well as social benefits: Fare-free rides will allow everyone to move around the city and access opportunities, which can be key in tackling inequalities. Through RIDE’s advocacy, this vision will now become a reality: From September 2024 onwards, young people in New Orleans will be able to receive a free transit pass.

Investing in the development of youth

The concept of fare-free transit is not new for New Orleans: Many citizens recall a time when students could ride for free. Even now, public schools have to provide free and adequate transportation for their students. However, there are many inequalities and inefficiencies involved in this programme. Considering that New Orleans is struggling with race and class segregation, transportation to school – while useful – is not the key to creating a more inclusive city. Allowing every young person to use public transport, on the other hand, can help to slowly break up segregation.

Making public transport free in New Orleans will also help to reduce car dependency. Currently, only about 5.2% of public-school students in the city take transit to get to school, according to a study quoted by RIDE. This is due to long travel times, illogical bus routes, and driver shortages, leaving families with no other choice than to drop their children by car.

Already, youth can get significantly cheaper transport in New Orleans: A one-day Jazzy Pass costs $1, and a one-month pass $18. This is a significant reduction from adult passes ($3 and $45 respectively). But by making transport free for young people, the city wants to invest even more in their development.

Using library-issued free transit passes

While the idea of free public transport is always popular, there is also resistance, mostly concerning the costs. Some of the revenue of a transport authority will be forfeited when young people (or other groups) are not paying to use transit. However, this gap can be covered by other, ongoing funding sources. And weighing the lost revenues against the potential benefits of free public transport is convincing as well. New benefits like reduced on-board processing times will further support the case.

Another criticism of free public transport for certain groups relates to the verification and enforcement of the policy. Determining who is allowed to ride for free can cause extra work for operators and slow down boarding. Transit passes or the use of school IDs can be helpful, as well as showing identification that clearly states the age. In New Orleans, the library-issued free transit passes for young people will help to avoid this challenge.

Making public transport more attractive

New Orleans is not the only city trialling free public transport for young people: For example, Kansas City and Albuquerque have introduced fare-free transport for everyone. And many other cities throughout the United States already have special prices for groups such as youth, seniors, or people with disabilities. In Europe, Luxembourg is trialling free public transport for everyone with very good results so far.

However, making public transport free needs political and financial support from city governments. It only works when the modes of transport available are attractive and cut down travel time compared with a car. Integrating different modes of transport, such as bikes and buses, can make public transport even more attractive. But ultimately, the case of New Orleans shows that transportation can and should be seen as a vital component of the growth and development of young people. The city sees the free bus passes as an investment in its youth.

Read more: In Topos 126, we discuss the future of public transport.