Should Public Buses Be Free?

"More major cities in the United States are letting public transit riders hop on board for free," reports CNN:Kansas City; Raleigh; Richmond; Olympia; Tucson; Alexandria, Virginia; and other cities are testing dropping fares on their transit systems. Denver is dropping fares across its system this summer. Boston is piloting three zero-fare public bus routes, and New York City is expected to test free buses on five lines.
Eliminating fares gives a badly needed boost to ridership, removes cost bur