"Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani was elected, in no small part, on his promise to eliminate the fare for city buses while making them run much faster. However, he faces several hurdles to making that proposal a reality. Chief among them is that the bus network is controlled by the state-run MTA and eliminating bus fares would require a replacement revenue stream to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. Mamdani has pitched raising taxes on millionaires and corporations as the main funding mechanism for the proposal."
"Such a change would require sign-off from both Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature. Hochul had previously said she would not entertain any tax increases, but has reportedly become more open to the idea of raising levies on corporations since Mamdani's November victory. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber has also expressed skepticism about Mamdani's plan. He has said the proposal needs to be studied far more thoroughly before moving forward with its implementation."
Zohran Mamdani pledged to eliminate fares for city buses and speed up service as incoming mayor. Eliminating bus fares would require hundreds of millions in replacement revenue and state-controlled MTA approval. Mamdani proposes raising taxes on millionaires and corporations to fund the plan, which would need sign-off from Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature. Hochul has been reportedly more open to corporate levies since Mamdani's victory, despite prior resistance to tax increases. MTA Chair Janno Lieber expressed skepticism, urging more study and preferring expansion of the Fair Fares program that offers half-priced fares to low-income riders. Other key 2026 issues include a fare increase, congestion pricing, major transportation projects, and efforts to curb fare evasion.
Read at www.amny.com
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