Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has reignited debate over New York City’s public transportation system with his ambitious proposal to eliminate bus fares entirely. The plan, part of his broader campaign to make transportation more equitable and sustainable, aims to transform the city’s bus network into a fully free service for all riders.
While Mamdani argues the policy would improve accessibility and boost ridership, critics warn that it could strain the city’s finances, especially as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) continues to face budget deficits.
A Vision for Accessible Transit
Mamdani, a progressive Democrat and state assemblyman from Queens, described his plan as a “moral investment in mobility,” emphasizing that working-class New Yorkers should not have to choose between “a meal and a MetroCard.”
According to his campaign, the policy could benefit millions of residents who rely on buses daily—particularly in outer boroughs like Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, where subway coverage remains limited.
“Our buses are the veins of this city,” Mamdani said during a campaign event in Jackson Heights. “When we make them free, we give life back to working people who keep New York moving.”
Funding Challenges and Criticism
However, fiscal analysts and political opponents argue that the plan lacks clear funding mechanisms. The MTA estimates that bus fares contribute roughly $800 million annually to its operating budget. Eliminating fares without a solid replacement for that revenue, they say, could lead to service cuts or higher taxes.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa dismissed the proposal as “a populist fantasy,” claiming that it would burden taxpayers already grappling with the city’s rising costs.
Meanwhile, former governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, questioned whether Mamdani’s plan would “prioritize fairness over feasibility.”
Public Reaction
Public opinion remains divided. Some commuters welcome the idea, citing rising living costs and unreliable service, while others worry about the impact on system maintenance and crowding.
“I take two buses a day to work,” said Brooklyn resident Maria Sanchez. “Free fares would help, but only if the buses still run on time.”
A Broader Election Issue
The debate over free transit has become a defining theme in the 2025 New York City mayoral race, highlighting the contrast between Mamdani’s progressive agenda and his rivals’ more moderate or fiscally conservative positions.
As the election approaches in November, voters will have to decide whether free transportation is a bold step toward equity—or a costly experiment the city cannot afford.
