Wow! I’m so out of touch!
Haven’t ridden a city bus in decades. Back then, you HAD to pay to ride.
But I guess lots of things have changed since those days.
Years ago we dropped quarters and other change into the box and took a seat. Rare was the exception where the fare was not paid. In a normal society no fare, no ride. And it didn’t cost a fortune to ride the bus either.
I have a friend who uses our bus system. You either pay upon entering the door, exact change, or wave a bus pass in front of pass reader. The driver is right there to stop you if it’s not all kosher. Before you actually board.
It’s gotten too dangerous for the bus drivers to try to collect the fares. An increased number of the “freeloaders” are violence- prone