Abstract
Free and reduced transit fare programs can boost transit ridership and benefit low-income individuals, students, seniors, and those with disabilities though financial sustainability is typically a concern. During the COVID-19 pandemic, transit agencies across California faced dramatic ridership declines and began expanding these programs—particularly for students—as a strategy to rebuild demand. Yet, little is known about how widespread free and reduced transit fare programs have become, what impacts they are having on ridership, and how agencies are funding them. To help address these questions, we surveyed California transit agencies in 2019 and 2024 and interviewed selected agencies to better understand how these programs are working in practice.
