取消票价以扩大机会：免费公共交通对经济与社会差距影响的实验证据

Eliminating Fares to Expand Opportunities: Experimental Evidence on the Impacts of Free Public Transportation on Economic and Social Disparities

American Economic Journal: Economic Policy · 2025 · Rebecca Brough、Matthew Freedman、David C. Phillips

中文摘要

我们开展了一项随机对照试验，以研究向低收入群体提供免费公共交通对就业的影响。将公共交通价格暂时降至零的补贴，对个人有偿工作时长或收入均无显著影响。利用丰富的行政数据，我们还考察了一系列其他结果指标。我们发现了提示性证据，表明公共交通补贴改善了财务和身体健康方面的指标。（JEL G51、J22、J31、L92、L98、R48）

Abstract

We conduct a randomized controlled trial to study the employment effects of providing free public transportation to individuals with low incomes. A temporary subsidy that reduces the price of transit to zero has no significant effects on individuals’ paid hours worked or earnings. Using rich administrative data, we also explore a range of other outcomes. We find suggestive evidence that transit subsidies improve measures of financial and physical health. (JEL G51, J22, J31, L92, L98, R48)