Overview
- An analysis of the final pilot report finds the touted 38.9% drop in driver assaults shrinks to an implied 16.4% when systemwide declines are considered, with too few incidents to draw firm conclusions.
- The five-line pilot increased ridership but resulted in about $16.5 million in forgone fare revenue, highlighting the program’s budget impact.
- Kansas City leaders and the local transit union report escalating assaults and disturbances during their no-fare trial, and the city council has voted to restore fares next year.
- Federal Transit Administration administrator Marc Molinaro argues fareless transit shifts costs to taxpayers, erodes accountability and should not receive federal operating subsidies.
- Mamdani proposes funding free buses through higher taxes on corporations and million‑dollar earners, a move that needs state approval as Gov. Kathy Hochul has rejected taxing the wealthiest.