"New Yorkers may soon be able to hop on a bus without tapping a credit card or OMNY card -at least for a few weeks. According to the New York Daily News , Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pushing for a five-week pilot program that would make buses free during this summer's FIFA World Cup , turning one of his signature campaign promises into a high-profile test run just as the city prepares for a massive influx of visitors."
"The catch, however, is that the city doesn't control bus fares-the Metropolitan Transportation Authority does. That means the proposal hinges on cooperation from Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers, who would likely need to sign off on funding and policy changes. The MTA has long been wary of eliminating fares, noting that bus revenue helps support its $21 billion annual operating budget and that officials are trying to curb fare evasion ."
"Mamdani has framed free buses as both an affordability measure and a way to reshape how visitors and locals move through the city during the global tournament. One in five New Yorkers struggles to pay for public transit, according to a 2024 report by the Community Service Society , and supporters argue that a no-fare system could ease financial pressure while encouraging more riders to ditch cars."
Mayor Zohran Mamdani seeks a five-week free-bus pilot across all five boroughs from mid-June through mid-July to coincide with FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium. The proposal aims to accommodate a projected surge of visitors and to promote affordability and reduced car use. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority controls fares, so state cooperation and funding approval from Governor Kathy Hochul and lawmakers are required. The MTA cites bus revenue as part of a $21 billion annual operating budget and expresses concern about eliminating fares while trying to curb fare evasion. A 2023 limited pilot subsidized one route in each borough.
Read at Time Out New York
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