Authorities stop #freebus scheme in Pune, mistakenly thinking it will cost money

Free bus ride scheme hits snag as PCMC won’t budge - Pune Mirror: "With the forthcoming civic elections, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) corporators last month announced to offer free rides on the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses on last Monday of each month in order to promote the use of public transport among citizens."

Government budgets around the world are structured in such a way that anything that benefits people is considered a costly "expense" that is "given" by government to the people. Actually everything is paid for one way or another, everything. It's just a matter of accounting. Right now people are paying very dearly to support the private auto. It takes up space and resources far in excess to the benefit it provides. Making buses fare-free is a good way to reduce this waste. But the auto expenses are not listed in the budget so they don't count.

Delhi to slash bus fares by 75 per cent

The Hindu : "To encourage people to use public transport, Delhi government has decided to slash fares of DTC and cluster buses by whopping 75 per cent from January 1.

The government has also decided to make DTC bus travel free for students up to the age of 21-years."

Delhi Government May Reduce Bus Fares By Over 50 Percent

ndtv : "NEW DELHI:  The Delhi government is planning to reduce fares of DTC and cluster buses (orange) by over 50 per cent to promote use of public transport and discourage people from using personal vehicles to bring down pollution."

Delhi odd/even car restrictions having "little or no" impact on nitrous oxide levels

Pollution Solutions Online: "Over in India, pollution has been dominating the headlines recently, with the Diwali festival of lights exacerbating an already serious problem. Though Delhi has imposed numerous restrictions on passenger vehicles, including maintaining the odd-even ban for over two weeks, an assessment of nitrogen oxides (NOx) above the city reveal that the schemes appear to have made little or no impact."

Nepal - privatized #publictransit is deadly

My Republica - SC again orders govt to end public transport syndicates: "According to traffic police, more than 1,800 people lose their lives on the roads every year. More than 20,000 Nepalis died in road accidents in the last 10 years.
The monetary losses due to road accidents every year amount to about Rs 4 billion  and more than 50 percent of accidents in the hill areas are due to the poor condition of the buses run by syndicates."

The price Karachi pays for its inefficient public transport system

The Express Tribune: "Karachi, often declared as one of the worst cities to live in, can put much of the blame on its non-existent public transport system because of which residents remain stuck in traffic jams for hours, reach office late and have less time to spend with family and friends."