Thought experiment. We want growth. We can achieve this by getting more money to the lowest earners, because they are most likely to spend that money. What if we did this by making buses free? (I'm sure I'm missing a lot of nuance here. Be kind in the replies!) - ThreadSky

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owlernook.bsky.social • 24 days ago

Thought experiment.

We want growth. We can achieve this by getting more money to the lowest earners, because they are most likely to spend that money.

What if we did this by making buses free?

(I'm sure I'm missing a lot of nuance here. Be kind in the replies!)

Comments

adamlbrown.bsky.social•24 days ago

That'll increase demand, but it only increases growth if it also increases supply. Otherwise it will just produce inflation. So we need policies that *simultaneously* increase demand and supply, in *both* the short and the long run

rob042.bsky.social•24 days ago

This is all-too-often framed as a ridership issue ("look at Tallinn, bus numbers didn't go up") as if freeing up those who already use the bus to spend their cash elsewhere in the economy isn't a really progressive and attractive by-product

rob042.bsky.social•24 days ago

Forgive me as a not at all economically literate person, but also doesn't this kind of policy also have other positive by-products: by reducing the burden on the poorest in society (a tiny bit), we allow them a scintilla more room to live, to breathe, to worry less about making ends meet...

rob042.bsky.social•24 days ago

...to thus have time to be more present and kinder to their kids, to "treat" themselves in the ways middle class people do all the time and take for granted,... the list goes on but this would be a really progressive move, no?

rob042.bsky.social•24 days ago

...

pdsg.bsky.social•23 days ago

Thought experiment.

Will the drivers conduct the means tests, or will you have to show proof of income or carry a special card?

How about make it so good, regular and cheap everyone will want to use it.

owlernook.bsky.social•23 days ago

I meant free for everyone, but poorer people are already much more likely to use public transport:

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