Mamdani's fare-free buses wouldn't be NYC's first wasteful public transit boondoggle

"Government Waste A previous pilot program found free access slowed down buses in New York City, which already has the slowest buses in the nation. In June, 33-year-old self-described democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won New York City's Democratic Party mayoral primary and is likely to become the next mayor of America's largest city. His platform contains eye-popping proposals such as state-run grocery stores and a rent freeze, and Mamdani claims he can decrease costs for New Yorkers with fare-free buses."

"A ticket on the New York City Ferry only costs $4.50, but the operating costs are around $13 per rider. Taxpayers pay roughly $9 for every rider. A 2022 report also found the city wasn't ensuring the private company running the ferry was doing its job, which resulted in $66 million in unnecessary spending. The ferry, which makes stops around the five boroughs, can have a wait of up to an hour between boats."

"The city already tried a pilot program of five free bus lines in 2023 and 2024. While ridership unsurprisingly increased, the program ultimately slowed bus speeds. If enacted, Mamdani's plan would cost at least $600 million to $800 million. In a July Slate article, transportation writer David Zipper pointed out that this is an inefficient way to spend taxpayer dollars, especially since the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) buses are already the slowest in the nation."

Zohran Mamdani won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary and proposes fare-free buses along with other bold policies. A prior pilot of five free bus lines in 2023–24 raised ridership but slowed bus speeds. Implementing citywide fare-free buses would cost an estimated $600 million to $800 million annually. New York City buses are already the slowest in the nation, and transportation analysts say the MTA would have superior uses for hundreds of millions. The city also subsidizes an expensive ferry that costs about $13 per rider while charging $4.50, and a 2022 report flagged $66 million in unnecessary spending. Low-income riders tend to prioritize frequency and safety over lower fares.

Read at Reason.com