New York Governor Kathy Hochul has confirmed that Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s campaign promise of fare-free buses in New York City is not possible. Hochul emphasized the financial constraints involved in removing fares from the city’s public transit system.
“I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways. But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course we can,” Hochul said. She noted that implementing fare-free buses statewide would require roughly $15 billion, equivalent to the entirety of the state’s reserves. Hochul also reaffirmed that she will not raise income taxes on New Yorkers, highlighting her efforts to put money back into people’s pockets, cut middle-class taxes, and support childcare.
During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani promoted fare-free buses as a signature policy, proposing to fund the initiative through increased corporate taxes and a 2% flat tax on individuals earning over $1 million annually. However, any such tax changes would require approval from both the governor and the state Legislature, meaning the mayor-elect cannot implement these measures unilaterally.
MTA officials have highlighted the challenges of removing fares, citing the agency’s reliance on revenue to maintain operations and service quality. In 2022, bus fare evasion alone accounted for $315 million in lost revenue, with the agency noting ongoing shortfalls. John McCarthy of the MTA emphasized that major policy changes require careful study to understand their full effects before implementation.
Mamdani is set to assume office on January 1, 2026. Current statements from Hochul make clear that fare-free buses are not feasible and never were, and the mayor-elect does not have the power to deliver on this campaign pledge. Hochul said that she and Mamdani are aligned on broader affordability initiatives such as childcare and housing, but these do not extend to major tax-funded proposals like fare-free buses.
