> I have no idea if that would work for inter-city transport
With inner-city transport, while free would undoubtedly have some marginal impact (and more over time as residential and commute patterns shift) there probably wouldn't be large shifts in use.
I suspect for inter-city, you would actually see significantly increased usage, which could outweigh all the benefits cited.
Probably commenting on local transit networks being generally at capacity during rush hour, which this would not improve.
For example, in Munich, there is a ~10% cheaper version of the monthly ticket that is only valid after 9 AM. This kind of incentive shaping falls flat.
(That is not to say I object to the new ticket, to be clear.)
With inner-city transport, while free would undoubtedly have some marginal impact (and more over time as residential and commute patterns shift) there probably wouldn't be large shifts in use.
I suspect for inter-city, you would actually see significantly increased usage, which could outweigh all the benefits cited.