Abolish Transport Fares
Posted: February 5, 2025
Free education and the NHS were once seen as unrealistic dreams. Now, no one questions them as basic rights. In the 21st century, what other “luxuries” should become rights? One strong candidate is free public transport.
This is not just an idea. Around 400 places worldwide have already made public transport free, up from fewer than 100 in 2017. In France, Poland, Brazil, and the US, fare-free schemes are growing. In India, five states have made buses free for 100 million women. Even in the UK, Glasgow is planning a small trial. London should not be left behind.
Why free public transport?
Abolishing fares is, above all, a social measure. It makes the city open to everyone—whether for work, education, leisure, or seeing friends. It removes a financial barrier that restricts movement, helping people access the opportunities the city has to offer and improve their lives. It also reshapes the city, shifting power dynamics by breaking down divisions between rich and poor areas.
Fare-free public transport is also an environmental measure. It reduces pollution, cuts traffic, and makes public transport the easy choice for everyone. While many climate policies ask people to make personal sacrifices, this one makes life better for all.
“But how will we pay for it?” some will ask. But public spending is not just a numbers game—it is a political choice. In Barcelona, almost 90% of the city’s budget was debated and decided directly by residents. London could do the same, giving people a real say in how money is spent.
How can we fund it?
Right now, fares make up around half of Transport for London’s budget. But many places have shown that free public transport can work. London could explore funding options like:
- Fairer taxes, ensuring those who profit most from London’s economy contribute more. This could include:
- Land value capture: taxing developers and landlords for the increase in value that public transport investment brings to their properties.
- Financial transactions tax, making those who profit from speculation contribute to public services.
- Truly progressive council taxes, fixing a system where the richest households currently pay proportionally less than middle-income ones.
- Divesting from fossil fuels, the arms trade, and war to redirect public money toward essential services. Instead of funding industries that destroy lives and the planet, we should be investing in public transport, housing, and healthcare.
Some worry free transport could lead to overcrowding or poor service. But cities like Tallinn and Dunkirk have made it work by expanding services. Others argue that fares redistribute wealth when wealthier people pay full price. But in reality, fares are a regressive tax, because low-income people spend a much greater share of their wages on transport. Abolishing fares helps those who need it most.
Time to act
This is not a fantasy—it is a political choice. The Fare-Free London campaign has started the conversation. Now, all Londoners should take part. Free public transport should be a right, not a privilege.
Fare Free London – https://www.farefreelondon.org/
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