Work

Fare-free public transportation: A systematic review of outcomes

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Introduction Transportation is a social determinant of health. Access to quality, affordable public transportation has been shown to improve overall health outcomes. The user cost (fares) of public transportation may impact people’s behavior and the outcomes they experience. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of research on the outcomes associated with fare-free public transit (FFPT) interventions. Methods A systematic literature search of peer-reviewed research studies was conducted using Web of Science, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Complete, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Academic Search Ultimate databases. To be included, studies must have been published before August 1, 2023, be original research, and describe an intervention or program that provided FFPT. Results Our searches identified 416 peer-reviewed articles. After reviewing the abstract and full text, 45 articles were included in this study. Studies were grouped into four (N = 4) categories based on the outcomes of the FFPT: transportation outcomes (n = 34), social outcomes (n = 18), economic outcomes (n = 12), and health outcomes (n = 11). Outcomes of FFPT included increased access and use of public transportation, increased physical activity and active lifestyles (especially for older adults), increased social connections, and improved equity of transportation access. Conclusions Eliminating the cost of public transportation for users can increase the use of public transportation, increase physical activity, and improve social connectedness. These improvements seem to yield greater impacts for racial and ethnic minorities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations. Future studies should assess the long-term impacts of FFPT on chronic disease and other health outcomes.

Source: Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives

DOI: 10.1016/j.trip.2026.101921