Overview
- At a joint appearance marking one year of congestion pricing, the mayor did not raise his pledge to eliminate bus fares.
- Governor Kathy Hochul opposes a universal free-bus program and favors expanding the Fair Fares discount for low-income riders.
- Mamdani’s team pegs the annual cost of fare-free buses at about $800 million, which would require state action and funding.
- The mayor highlighted the idea a day earlier by riding the Q70, currently the city’s only free bus, as his office emphasized public outreach.
- With subway and bus fares now $3, the administration is positioning the proposal for negotiations in the upcoming state legislative session.