Ahh youth. To be annoying just for the sake of being annoying. It's not about the fares, they're just bored for some excitement.

This is the dumbest thing ever. Transit is not the problem.

Behold. the hipster of democratic socialism.

Maybe its not a problem for rich white guys or not so rich just ignorant like those mentioning above but it is a problem for many others. This is an excellent article with many valid points. Thank you for this.

I have witnessed people being harassed about fares and the homeless in particular. An injured homeless man was forced off the bus by fare enforcement even though other riders offered to pay his fare, Real humane huh?

Low income people struggle on a daily basis to make ends meet and bus fares are an issue. Every dollar counts in those folks budget. It may be trite to some with a cozy setting but it is not for many.

Are they too invisible for you to see? Or do you prefer to be blind?

Forgot to mention that at least one young latino man was shot and killed by fare enforcement a few years ago. There is a bad history of brutality with fare enforcement practices.

Better yet don’t shop on Black Friday and you won’t have to travel.

@5: So you want no fares, cheaper fares, less enforcement, no enforcement? Transit cannot be a shelter for the homeless while serving its function to keep our city moving. Anytime and anywhere the homeless are asked to move there will likely be altercations and yes, some excessive force (each case should be reviewed), but that is the reality. That is the reality and a far better reality than you would prefer which is total mayhem.

Every dollar counts in my budget too.

I think Rich needs to move to Portland. That city is more is speed, if you catch my drift.

"Forgot to mention that at least one young latino man was shot and killed by fare enforcement a few years ago."

Oscar Perez Giron, the illegal armed with an unregistered firearm who pulled that gun and tried to shoot the responding police officer (it wasn't fare enforcement)?

Yeah, real tragic that one.

Maybe you should read actual reports on that story, not The Stranger.

White people taking free shit and costing their community money for no reason! Way to go guys!

No, Rich smith. This strike is a terrible idea--if you knew anything about public transit OR living in major cities( and no, Kansas City doesn't count) you'd understand. ALSO, KC just started pursuing free transit. There is no indication of any actual success yet.

Maybe learn a little more about transit. Are there any successful free transit systems in existence? If so, where? You know, basic information you should know if you write a piece about transit strike. Do your research man. This article had no REAL information only loaded text with a unhelpful agenda.

Island Transit (on Whidbey & Camano Islands) has not charged fares -- except for one route between Everett & Camano Island -- for more than 30 years.

Make something free and people will treat as such. Don’t believe me? Would you rather use a public toilet or the one in your room at the Ritz Carlton?

@15: Just like between Petticoat Junction and Hooterville on the Cannonball. No charge.

there are places all over the world that offer free transit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_public_transport_routes

it's very popular across europe, dozens of cities in france and estonia have adopted fare free transit and the quality of their transit systems leaves anything in the united states dead in the water. an important piece of free transit usually goes unmentioned are the environmental benefits. increased ridership means less cars on the road, which makes it easier for the buses to run on schedule, reduces air pollution, and reduces carbon emissions. the fact that seattle's is more equitable than other cities is not a reason to give up on the progress. cities that have implemented fare free transit have seen massive gains in ridership which has spillover effects all over the city.