Episode 125: David Phillips
David Phillips
David Phillips is the Director of Research at the Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) at the University of Notre Dame.
Date: May 5, 2026
Episode Details:
In this episode, we discuss Prof. Phillips’ research on the effects of providing free public transit.
"Eliminating Fares to Expand Opportunities: Experimental Evidence on the Impacts of Free Public Transportation on Economic and Social Disparities" by Rebecca Brough, Matthew Freedman, and David C. Phillips.
OTHER RESEARCH WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE:
“Getting to Work: Experimental Evidence on Job Search and Transportation Costs" by David C. Phillips.
“Public Transit and the Spatial Distribution of Minority Employment: Evidence from a Natural Experiment" by Harry Holzer, John Quigley, and Steven Raphael.
“The Effects of the Announcement and Opening of Light Rail Transit Stations on Neighborhood Crime" by Stephen Billings, Suzanne Leland, and David Swindell.
"Means-Tested Public Transportation Subsidies: Causal Evidence and Implications" by Seoyoon Ahn, Matthew Freedman, David Phillips, and Atheendar Venkataramani.
“The Role of the Fare in Welfare: Public Transportation Subsidies and Their Effects on Low-Income Households" by Seth Chizeck and Oluchi Mbonu.
“Do Free and Discounted Fares Increase Transit Use, Well-being, and Employment for Low-Income Residents? Evidence from a Pilot Program in Washington, DC" by Alyssa Huberts, Roxanne Oroxom, Kayleigh B. Campbell, Katherine N. Gan, Danielle Moore, and Sam Quinney.