Public transportation plays a crucial role in urban mobility and sustainability. The question of whether it should be made free to encourage its use has been a topic of debate in recent years. This theme has appeared in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams with moderate frequency, and its relevance is likely to increase as cities worldwide grapple with how urbanization is increasing the demand for resources. Let’s examine a sample question and explore different approaches to answering it effectively.

Sample Question and Analysis

Some people think that governments should make public transportation free of charge in order to encourage more people to use it instead of private cars. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This question asks for your opinion on a proposal to make public transportation free. It’s important to note that this is an agree/disagree question, which means you should clearly state your position and support it with well-developed arguments.

Key points to consider:

• The main idea: Free public transportation
• The goal: To encourage more people to use public transport instead of private cars
• Your task: Express your level of agreement or disagreement and explain why

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

The proposition of making public transportation free to promote its usage over private cars is an intriguing one. While I agree that this approach could yield some benefits, I believe that it is not the most effective solution and could potentially lead to unintended consequences.

On one hand, eliminating fares for public transport could indeed make it more accessible to a broader segment of the population, particularly those with lower incomes. This increased accessibility could lead to higher ridership rates and, consequently, a reduction in private car usage. Furthermore, free public transportation could contribute to decreased traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions in urban areas, aligning with environmental sustainability goals.

However, there are several compelling reasons why I disagree with this approach as a primary solution. Firstly, the financial burden on governments to provide free public transportation would be substantial. This could lead to reduced funding for other essential public services or increased taxes, which may face public resistance. Moreover, without fare revenue, there might be less incentive for transport authorities to maintain and improve services, potentially resulting in overcrowding and deterioration of infrastructure.

Another crucial consideration is that the effectiveness of public transportation depends not only on its cost but also on its efficiency, reliability, and coverage. Simply making it free does not address issues such as inadequate routes, infrequent services, or poor connectivity, which are often the main deterrents for potential users. Investing in improving these aspects of public transport might be a more effective way to encourage its use.

Additionally, there is a risk that free public transportation could lead to overuse and abuse of the system. This could include unnecessary trips or people using public transport for shelter rather than transportation, potentially making the service less appealing to regular commuters.

In conclusion, while free public transportation might seem like an attractive solution to reduce private car usage, I believe it is not the most effective approach. Instead, governments should focus on a comprehensive strategy that includes improving the quality, efficiency, and coverage of public transport, combined with other measures such as congestion pricing for private cars and how to promote sustainable transportation solutions. This multi-faceted approach is more likely to create a sustainable and effective public transportation system that can genuinely compete with the convenience of private cars.

Benefits and drawbacks of free public transport

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

The idea of making public transportation free to encourage its use is an interesting one. I partly agree with this suggestion because it has some advantages, but I also think there are some problems with it.

One of the main benefits of free public transport is that it would make it easier for everyone to use, especially people who don’t have much money. If buses and trains were free, more people might choose to use them instead of driving their cars. This could help to reduce traffic on the roads and also be good for the environment because there would be fewer cars polluting the air.

However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. The biggest problem is the cost. If public transport is free, the government would need to spend a lot of money to keep it running. This money would have to come from somewhere, probably from higher taxes. Many people might not be happy about paying more taxes, even if it means free transport.

Another issue is that if public transport is free, it might become too crowded. More people would use it, which could make it uncomfortable for everyone. There’s also a risk that some people might misuse the system, like using buses or trains as a place to sleep rather than for travel.

I think a better solution would be to make public transport cheaper but not completely free. The government could also try to improve the quality of public transport by making it more reliable and comfortable. This might encourage more people to use it without the problems that come with making it completely free.

In conclusion, while free public transport could have some benefits, I believe it’s not the best solution. A combination of lower prices and better services would be more effective in encouraging people to use public transport instead of private cars.

Crowded public transport during rush hour

Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)

I think making public transport free is a good idea. It can help many people and solve some problems in cities.

First, free public transport is good because more people can use it. Some people don’t have much money, so they can’t afford bus or train tickets. If it’s free, they can travel easily. This is very helpful for poor people and students.

Also, if public transport is free, maybe less people will use cars. This is good for the environment because cars make a lot of pollution. With more people using buses and trains, there will be less traffic on roads too.

But there are some problems with this idea. The biggest problem is money. If public transport is free, who will pay for it? The government will need to spend a lot of money. Maybe they will need to increase taxes, and people won’t like that.

Another problem is that free public transport might get very crowded. If it’s free, many people will want to use it. This might make it uncomfortable for everyone.

I think free public transport is a good idea, but it needs to be done carefully. The government should think about how to pay for it without making people angry about higher taxes. They should also make sure there are enough buses and trains so it doesn’t get too crowded.

In conclusion, I agree that making public transport free can be good, but it’s not easy to do. It can help people and the environment, but it also costs a lot of money and might cause some problems.

Explanation of Band Scores

Band 8-9 Essay:

• Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a clear position and well-developed ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Logically organized with a clear progression of ideas and effective use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource: Wide range of vocabulary used accurately and appropriately.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.

Band 6-7 Essay:

• Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects are more fully covered than others.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are generally well organized with some use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource: Adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with some errors in word choice and usage.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors that do not impede communication.

Band 5-6 Essay:

• Task Response: Addresses the task but may be repetitive or lack focus in parts.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Overall coherent but may lack clear progression at times. Limited use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource: Limited range of vocabulary, with noticeable errors in word choice and usage.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Limited range of structures with frequent grammatical errors, though meaning is generally clear.

Key Vocabulary

1. Public transportation (noun) /ˌpʌblɪk ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃn/: Systems of transport available for public use.

2. Accessibility (noun) /əkˌsesəˈbɪləti/: The quality of being able to be reached or entered.

3. Sustainability (noun) /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/: The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.

4. Congestion (noun) /kənˈdʒestʃən/: The state of being overcrowded, especially with traffic.

5. Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/: The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

6. Incentive (noun) /ɪnˈsentɪv/: A thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something.

7. Deterioration (noun) /dɪˌtɪəriəˈreɪʃn/: The process of becoming progressively worse.

8. Multi-faceted (adjective) /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/: Having many sides or aspects.

9. Comprehensive (adjective) /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/: Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.

10. Ridership (noun) /ˈraɪdərʃɪp/: The number or proportion of passengers using a particular transportation system.

In conclusion, the topic of free public transportation to encourage its use is a complex issue with various aspects to consider. While it offers potential benefits such as increased accessibility and reduced carbon emissions, it also presents challenges like financial sustainability and potential service quality issues. As you practice writing essays on this topic, consider exploring different perspectives and supporting your arguments with specific examples and logical reasoning.

For further practice, you might want to consider writing essays on related topics such as:

• The impact of ride-sharing services on public transportation
• Innovative ways to fund public transportation improvements
• The role of technology in enhancing public transportation efficiency

Remember to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your IELTS Writing skills and gain a deeper understanding of the topic.