New York CNN —More major cities in the United States are letting public transit riders hop on board for free. Boston is piloting three zero-fare public bus routes, and New York City is expected to test free buses on five lines. Fares made up, on average, 12.5% of transit agencies’ operating expenses in 2021, down from 31.4% in 2019, according to the American Public Transit Association. “By offering free public transport, we are not really attracting car drivers in large volumes,” said Mohamed Mezghani, secretary general of the International Association of Public Transport. “There’s no such thing as free transit,” he added.

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Persons: Michelle Wu, “, ”, Lane Turner, Stephanie Lotshaw, American Public Transit Association . Massachusetts Sen, Edward Markey, Ayanna Pressley, Wu, Matt Stone, Henry Bendon, ” Bendon, Fares, Pat Greenhouse, Mohamed Mezghani, Sarah Kaufman, There’s, Boston Mayor Wu, Olivier Douliery, Richard Jarrold, Jarrold Organizations: New, New York CNN, Boston, CNN, Boston Globe, American Public Transit Association . Massachusetts, US, MediaNews, Boston Herald, Getty, Richmond, Agency, American Public Transit Association, Kansas City, International Association of Public Transport, “, Rudin Center, Transportation, New York University, Boston Mayor, Getty Images Washington, Transportation Authority Locations: New York, United States, Kansas City, Raleigh, Richmond, Olympia, Tucson, Alexandria, Virginia, Denver, Boston, New York City, America, Tallinn, Estonia, Dunkirk, France, Luxembourg, Washington ,, AFP, Kansas