As the election draws near in New York City, Mayor's race frontrunner Zohran Mamdani's promise of free buses has hit a major roadblock. With just six days left before voters cast their ballots, MTA Chair Andrew Lieber has essentially doused hopes of fare-free rides on all city buses.
The estimated annual cost for eliminating fares would be staggering, with some suggesting it could reach upwards of $630 million. However, Lieber claims the real price tag is significantly higher and could exceed $1 billion in the coming years, assuming stricter enforcement of bus fares to prevent fare evasion. Interestingly, recent MTA data shows that a substantial portion of Select Bus Service riders and local bus users did not pay their fares during the third quarter of 2025.
Lieber's comments have sparked outrage among Mamdani's supporters, who believe that the real issue is addressing economic inequality rather than simply cutting costs. The MTA Chair has repeatedly dismissed free buses as a viable solution, citing concerns about demand for more buses and the potential need for additional bus drivers and depots.
In contrast to his claims of impartiality, Lieber has strong ties to both Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who first appointed him to the MTA. The situation has left many wondering whether Lieber is playing politics with the election outcome, but he maintains that the agency's position remains unchanged.
The real challenge ahead will be finding an affordable solution to boost mass transit funding without pricing out low-income riders. As the mayoral race heats up, one thing is clear: free buses are no longer a viable option for New York City commuters.
The estimated annual cost for eliminating fares would be staggering, with some suggesting it could reach upwards of $630 million. However, Lieber claims the real price tag is significantly higher and could exceed $1 billion in the coming years, assuming stricter enforcement of bus fares to prevent fare evasion. Interestingly, recent MTA data shows that a substantial portion of Select Bus Service riders and local bus users did not pay their fares during the third quarter of 2025.
Lieber's comments have sparked outrage among Mamdani's supporters, who believe that the real issue is addressing economic inequality rather than simply cutting costs. The MTA Chair has repeatedly dismissed free buses as a viable solution, citing concerns about demand for more buses and the potential need for additional bus drivers and depots.
In contrast to his claims of impartiality, Lieber has strong ties to both Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who first appointed him to the MTA. The situation has left many wondering whether Lieber is playing politics with the election outcome, but he maintains that the agency's position remains unchanged.
The real challenge ahead will be finding an affordable solution to boost mass transit funding without pricing out low-income riders. As the mayoral race heats up, one thing is clear: free buses are no longer a viable option for New York City commuters.
! It's like he thinks we're all born yesterday and can't see through his games 
. Free buses aren't just about cutting costs, it's about making public transport affordable for everyone, especially those who already struggle to make ends meet 
. I mean, come on, $630-1 billion? That's a small price to pay for people's dignity 
. And btw, how can he keep saying he's impartial when his ties to Mamdani and Cuomo are so obvious? 
It's all about playing politics and screwing over the little guy 
It's like they're trying to keep it super expensive on purpose! $1 billion?! That's crazy talk! And what about all the people who can't afford fares because of poverty or something? It feels like they're just pushing them even further out. 
I get that reducing costs is important, but is it really worth hurting low-income folks? 
Can't we find a way to make transit affordable for everyone?! 
I mean, I get that it's gonna cost money, but come on $1billion?! 
shouldn't we be thinking of ways to make transit more affordable for everyone not just the people who are already struggling to afford it? 
and what about Zohran's promise of free buses? shouldn't we be looking at ways to make that happen instead of just saying no? 
it's like, what's the plan B here? 
but seriously, $1 billion is crazy talk! and to think they're gonna try to cut costs by enforcing stricter fare policies... that's just gonna hurt low-income riders even more 
. Like, I get it, MTA has to make some tough decisions and all that jazz... but can't we just find another way to fund mass transit without pricing out people who can barely afford the fare? 
.
Do we trust the MTA to make decisions based on facts or is this all just about who's gonna win the election? 
It's like he's playing politics with our lives... err, I mean, bus fares. 
. Addressing economic inequality and ensuring affordable transportation for low-income riders is key 
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. Maybe this could be an opportunity to explore other funding options or incentives for users who do pay? 
The mayor's campaign has already highlighted the need for affordable transportation, so it's time for the city to get creative and find solutions that work for everyone 
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. It's not just about cutting costs, it's about people's lives 
. How can Lieber say he's impartial when his ties go all the way back to Cuomo? 
isn't that a free service for everyone? 
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. We need to figure out how to fund mass transit without leaving behind people who can't afford it 
.