Providence fights over parking. Best solution? Fare-free buses.

golocalprov : "Tegu said Hope Street businesses are looking for customers to spend longer periods of time in that particular neighborhood so that all of the businesses benefit. The businesses there don't want their customers to feels rushed because of parking meters.

"We're not a downtown district where folks park, shop an hour, and then leave. We're more of a destination where people can potentially spend the whole day," said Tegu. 

Parking meters, she said, put a dent in that plan. Instead of meters, the city should look for ways to attract people, not deter them. In the long run, she said, that would create more revenue.

Merchants aside, some community activists believe parking meters can be beneficial."

Public transit sucks in the US for a simple reason. Autosprawl profitieers WANT it to suck.

Public Transportation Woes Are Not Just In Boston | Infrastructure & Construction Law: "Crisis in public transportation is a result of neglect over time and boils over, resulting in what we currently see in many major cities.  Things like chronic lack of investment, poor management, and a culture not conducive to implementing preventative measures, are just some of the contributing factors."

MBTA eyes discounts for low-income riders in the future

This is an old trick. Means testing. More costly bureaucracy, just to keep an unsustainable autosprawl system going. By making all buses fare-free, a city will save much more in reduced congestion, less parking subsidy, less pollution, and better health than it would "lose" in fare revenue.

The Boston Globe: "As the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority considers fare increases, advocates for low-income residents are encouraging the agency to implement something new in the state: discounts for those customers who have the hardest time paying."

Better #publictransit could save Massachusetts $20 billion

Study calls for improved public transit; touts benefits of reduced driving | WBJournal.com: "Calling for an improved public transportation system that would enable Massachusetts residents cut back on driving, a report out Monday says a 1 percent decrease in the growth rate of driving miles would improve overall quality of life and result in an aggregate $20.1 billion in savings by 2030."

People in Vermont want to spend less time in cars

VTDigger : "While alternative transportation advocates dominated the audience, almost all present raised their hands when asked if they owned a car. About half the car owners said they wanted to drive less than they did, Zicconi said."

Millennials Want More Public Transportation

U.S. PIRG : "As a Millennial myself, I can relate to many of these reasons above. I went to college where I didn’t have, want, or need a car. I’m not yet married (nor do I plan to be for a long while) and want to live in walkable areas where I can get to the grocery stores, restaurants, bars, and other attractions without a car.  But it’s the availability of technology has largely enabled me to realize that want – a number of apps allow me to find the closest bike share, map the fastest bus route home, reserve a car, or order a ride at the touch of a button.

The reasons Millennials as a whole are driving less is varied and complicated, but as the largest generation, they’re the ones with the most to gain or lose from a lack of investment in public transportation.  The decisions we make today are will define how we’re able to navigate our cities in the future and it’s clear that Millennials want more public transportation.  It’s time for our city leaders to head that call."

Survey: Boston Millennials Say MBTA Is Most Important Factor In Where They Live And Work

WBUR: "Millennials in Greater Boston say access to public transit is the most important factor in where they choose to live and work."