The Secret to Better Public Transit? Make Drivers Pay for It

chicagobooth.edu/review | Many urban policy makers want more-robust public transit systems because they help reduce road congestion and traffic-related pollution. Many commuters, on the other hand, prefer to drive. What policy can improve the average person’s well-being?
Looking at data from Chicago, Chicago Booth’s Milena Almagro and a team of colleagues find that it's not a single policy, but a combination of policies that could generate substantial improvements for the average traveler. By implementing road taxes and reinvesting the revenue in cheaper fares and more optimal frequencies for trains and buses, the city could generate up to $52 million per year in benefits for commuters, they find.