New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reaffirmed support for fare-free buses as transit officials report revenue strain and rising fare evasion. In an August 14 Fox News Digital report, Transport Workers Union Local 100 president John V. Chiarello called current MTA fare evasion the worst drivers have seen. Last month, MTA CEO Janno Lieber said “talk of free buses” has an impact on the trend, per the New York Post. The MTA reported paid ridership was down 7.7% from last June. City Hall said persistent evasion highlights affordability pressures and underpins Mamdani’s fare-free system push. Fox cited Nicole Gelinas of the Manhattan Institute saying the Independent Budget Office estimates free buses could cost $1.1 billion yearly, with the MTA facing a $300 million deficit.
