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Comment by readhn | Hacker News Reader

What if NYC made all public transport free for NYC residents?

Would the only cars left on the road be Ubers/Lyfts and tourist taxis?

As it is price to own a car in NYC is very expensive: $150ish insurance, $500ish parking, and lets say for a $300/lease thats almost ~$1K/month. Free good public transport system would drive many to car-free life.

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I’m not against free public transit. But you’re vastly mistaken about NYC. People who own cars in the city do so because public transit doesn’t serve their needs. Not because it’s too expensive.

would 1000$ a month be a good enough incentive to drop car use to minimum then?

I feel like you’re still missing the point. People pay $1000/month or more because the public transit system doesn’t go where they need to go OR they’re wealthy enough that it doesn’t matter.

I’m not seeing where the $1000/mo incentive you’re describing is coming from? An unlimited MTA card is $127. Nobody is paying for a car if the subway serves their needs.

Or would rather spend $1000 to not rub and be rubbed against strangers.

NYC is not the place for you if you don't want to be in close proximity to other people, as a general rule.

The cities (or areas of the city) where people don't actually use cars are the ones where car use is banned. There are always millionaires for whom reasonable monetary incentives or costs are of no concern and convenience/comfort is everything.

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