LA Mayor Bass wants public transit to be free. Metro puts that price tag at over $1 billion — and more UCLA Media

LAist reported on Mayor Karen Bass’ support for fare-free Metro as the agency weighs the costs and potential consequences of eliminating fares. According to Brian Taylor, a research professor of urban planning and public policy at UCLA, there’s a good economic case for transit systems to go fareless when a large share of its riders are low-income and fares cover less than roughly 10% of operating costs. Los Angeles Metro meets both conditions, he said.