New York City’s buses are full of stories: commuters rushing to work, students heading to school, and, increasingly, passengers skipping the fare. More than 700 people a minute are riding for free, according to the Citizens Budget Commission — a problem that adds up to nearly $1 billion in lost revenue each year.
Eyewitness News rode the Bx12 and M15, two of the city’s busiest routes, and saw it firsthand: entire groups boarding without paying, sometimes even at the front door, right by the driver. For a city dreaming of free buses under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the reality is stark.
“Bus fare evasion is a really big challenge for the MTA,” said Ana Champeny of the Citizens Budget Commission. “You can’t station a guard on every bus.” CEO Janno Lieber agrees, warning that without revenue, it’s hard to keep buses and subways running.
The MTA plans to introduce onboard fare inspectors with handheld devices to ensure riders are paying. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul has confirmed there’s no plan to fund free buses in the state budget anytime soon.
It’s a delicate balance: on one hand, the vision of free, fast buses; on the other, the financial reality of hundreds of millions of dollars lost every year. New Yorkers may soon have to ask themselves: can the city afford the dream of a fare-free ride, or is it already paying the price?
by Jarvus Ricardo Hester
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