Enough people believe exactly that to make such statements problematic. If we expand this beyond economist, there are literally people who believe in magic. If we expand magic to include religion, a vast majority believe in magic. Journalism should inform.
Sure, a lot of people have irrational beliefs. But I doubt that a significant share of (adult) people isn't aware that free things still have to be funded somehow. Do you know of any research about that question?
The thing is, for a lot of people it is really free.
Poor people pay very little tax, rich people (admitting they wanted to use public transport for whatever reason) use offshore tricks to pay very little tax.
So you have a vocal poor majority of people telling a minority of marginally richer middle class to foot the bill and a handful of rich people who pay the government to make sure things stay the same and they don't need to start paying.