The problem with free is that it often translates into neglect. For some strange reason, humans put a greater value on things they have to pay for out of pocket. The fact that they pay through sales taxes doesn't seem to do the trick.

Back in 1994, I wrote about Austin, Texas, which decided in 1989 to offer free transit. In short, ridership jumped a whopping 87 percent, but the number of complaints about crimes, vandalism and abuse almost tripled. A school truancy problem developed as kids jumped on and off city buses. After two years, Austin relented. The transit board decided to begin charging 50 cents per ride.

In Utah, the city of Logan currently provides free transit. But its service is much more limited than what is offered along the Wasatch Front, and the population up there is so small that comparisons are unrealistic.

Obviously, if UTA were to provide free service in Salt Lake County, a hefty tax increase would be needed. That increase would spread itself evenly both to those who ride and those who wouldn't ride if every last SUV in the world were destroyed.

Which brings me to the most important point. If it isn't wrong to tax transit riders and force them to pay fares, is it right to tax the people who never ride a train or a bus? Should everyone have to pay for transit? If so, why?

Sen. Bennett offers a simple reason in the quote at the start of this column. That quote, by the way, is from the foreword to a study by The Free Congress Foundation, co-authored by Paul Weyrich, a noted conservative thinker who has become a huge advocate of mass transit.

The study lists three main benefits from transit: It reduces traffic congestion, even if only by a few percentage points (each transit rider translates into approximately one less car on the road); it helps conserve resources because fewer cars on the road translates into a reduced consumption of fuel and oil; and it raises property values. Studies show that homes in nice neighborhoods appreciate when a rail line is built nearby.

Impressive as these benefits are, they don't justify taxpayers paying the full share of the costs. No one likes a fare increase, but as long as UTA finds ways to help the very poor, riders will have to live with them. And everyone should appreciate the benefits of this "infrastructure."

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Jay Evensen is editor of the Deseret Morning News editorial page. E-mail: even@desnews.com