Free bus fares are seen as a way to encourage people in HCMC to shift to public transport. However, the real question now is how the policy is implemented to deliver meaningful change. From policy to real impacts In Dunkirk, France, passengers board buses without stopping at ticket machines or searching for loose change. Within minutes, dozens of buses move in and out of stops, with passengers boarding and alighting quickly and smoothly. Since the city made all bus services free in 2018, ridership has surged by more than 60% on weekdays and over 120% on weekends (1). A 2021 study found that free bus services are helping young people in Dunkirk move away from the “idealized” notion of owning a private car. Data from city authorities show that 10% of bus users have given up their cars since 2018, while the use of public parking facilities has fallen by 30% (2). However, these results were not driven solely by the sudden introduction of free fares. Like many cities, Dunkirk was once heavily reliant on cars, facing congestion, pollution and overcrowded urban space. The city spent years redesigning its network, increasing frequency, adding vehicles and prioritizing infrastructure. At the same […]