In a recent column from the NYC transportation newsletter On The Way, Rep. Zoran Mamdani’s campaign for fare-free buses is presented as both appealing and controversial. While the concept garners support for simplifying public transit, transportation experts warn it could exacerbate issues within the city’s transit system, potentially diverting ridership from subways and undermining fare revenue crucial for operations.
Mamdani claims that about $630 million in annual fare revenue losses could be offset by increased taxes on high earners, which he estimates could generate $10 billion yearly. Critics, including transit consultant Jarrett Walker, argue that a free bus system might lead to a two-tiered system that negatively impacts low-income riders, despite claims that it could expedite service.
Mamdani’s campaign has also proposed the installation of new bus lanes and improved traffic light technology to enhance efficiency. While previous pilot programs for free buses have been deemed unsuccessful, Mamdani maintains they were popular among riders and reduced conflicts between drivers and non-paying passengers.
Meanwhile, the MTA highlights that over 40% of bus users already ride free, either through fare evasion or participation in programs designed to support low-income residents. The agency advocates for existing subsidies, like the Fair Fares program, emphasizing that these initiatives can enhance accessibility without jeopardizing the broader transit system’s viability.
Overall, the debate reflects wider tensions in urban transportation policy, balancing equity with fiscal sustainability, as political figures like former Governor Andrew Cuomo call for a reevaluation of previous fare-free trials without clear proposals for enhancing transit services.
