NYC's Fare-Free Bus Pilot: A Resounding Success Story?

A Year Without Fares: Lessons From New York's Free Bus Pilot

<figure><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1440" height="907" src="https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nyc-bus-getty.jpg" alt="" srcset="https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nyc-bus-getty.jpg 1440w, https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nyc-bus-getty-275x173.jpg 275w, https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nyc-bus-getty-768x484.jpg 768w, https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nyc-bus-getty-810x510.jpg 810w, https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nyc-bus-getty-340x215.jpg 340w, https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nyc-bus-getty-168x106.jpg 168w, https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nyc-bus-getty-382x240.jpg 382w, https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/nyc-bus-getty-793x500.jpg 793w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px"><figcaption>People sit on an MTA bus as the sun sets along 72nd Street on June 12, 2024, in New York City.<span>(Gary Hershorn / Getty Images)</span></figcaption></figure>

"That $2.90 is killing us all."

This is Cicely Blatch, a bus rider in the Bronx, speaking about the rising cost of public transit in New York City. Blatch's sentiment echoes the struggles of many New Yorkers, especially low-income residents who rely heavily on public transportation.

New York's fare-free bus pilot, which ran on five bus lines across the city, aimed to provide relief for these struggling riders. The program, which ended last Sunday, saw a 30% increase in ridership on weekdays and a 38% increase on weekends. The pilot also offered significant economic relief to low-income riders, particularly those earning less than $28,000 a year.

But the benefits went beyond financial relief. The pilot also saw a 38.9% drop in assaults on bus operators, highlighting the potential for fare-free transit to improve safety. By eliminating the need for riders to interact with operators, the program reduced the frequency of altercations. Additionally, 11% of new riders switched from cars or taxis, contributing to a decrease in city-wide emissions.

A Paradigm Shift?

The success of the pilot program begs the question: Is it time for New York to permanently embrace fare-free buses? The authors of the article argue that making buses free is more attainable than many might think. With the cost of the pilot coming in at under $800 million, the authors suggest that this expense pales in comparison to other investments, like the new Buffalo Bills stadium.

As the city navigates its next budget cycle, the authors call for a paradigm shift in transportation policy. They argue that the focus should shift from crisis management to creating a public transit system that works for all. The pilot program, they argue, has proven that fare-free transit can be safe, reliable, and universally accessible.

A Promising Future for Public Transit?

The success of the fare-free bus pilot offers a compelling glimpse into the potential of public transit to be a true public good. While the program has ended, its results provide a strong argument for its continuation. As New York City faces mounting challenges in transportation, the fare-free bus pilot stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing the possibility of a more equitable, accessible, and sustainable future for public transit in the city.