I have never seen any news coverage that compares the cost of fare enforcement on the local bus/rail networks with the revenue captured through fares. And we know that farebox recovery only covers a fraction of the cost of each ride. So why not eliminate the fare and the cost to enforce payment? How much does the fare collection network cost, in expensive terminals, fare enforcement officers, and the associated back office expenses, expanding and upgrading a system we might not even need?
What if the land along those busy corridors was taxed on its productive value with that revenue dedicated to the costs of transporting workers and consumers along those rights of way?