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.