How feasible is Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's free bus plan?
The Riders Alliance says the plan could be transformational, saving riders time and helping families across the city get to where they need without worrying about how they'll pay for it.
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One of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's major campaign policies is to make city buses free — a plan that excited voters. But can he really deliver?
The Riders Alliance says the plan could be transformational, saving riders time and helping families across the city get to where they need without worrying about how they'll pay for it.
"Bus riders are short on time and short on money, and that's why fast and free buses are such a compelling platform to run on," said Danny Pearlstein, a transit advocate with the Riders Alliance.
Funding is the plan's biggest challenge. The Riders Alliance says this could cost around $700 million a year, money the city and state would have to agree to cover. MTA chair Janno Leiber addressed the idea in October, saying it needs to be analyzed, but welcomed any discussion that encouraged more and faster transit.
In 2023, the MTA launched a fare-free pilot on five routes, including the Bronx's BX18 and Brooklyn's B60, giving more than 40,000 riders free trips for nearly a year before it ended in 2024.
As Mamdani prepares to take over at City Hall, his vision for fast and free buses could redefine public transit in New York City.
Now, the question is if he can find the funding to make it a reality.
