Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber has attributed a significant drop in paid bus ridership to promises of free bus service made during Mayor Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign. Lieber stated that the talk of free buses has contributed to a trend of increased fare evasion, leading to a 7.7% decrease in paid ridership in June compared to the previous year.
Lieber, speaking after a board meeting, described the situation as a "trend that broke out," emphasizing the impact of "all of the talk of free buses." He urged a return to the principle that all riders should contribute to the system, suggesting that those who can afford to pay, including commuters with office jobs, should not evade fares. "It's time to be New Yorkers," he said. "You're just passing along the cost to another taxpayer. Somebody's going to have to pay for that ride." Mamdani, who campaigned on a platform of "fast and free buses," has continued to advocate for the plan since taking office in January. He has pointed to a 2023 MTA pilot program that tested five free bus routes as a success. However, MTA documents indicate that this pilot program resulted in over $16.5 million in lost revenue. An MTA review of the pilot also found that it primarily increased ridership among existing bus users rather than encouraging car drivers to switch to public transit.
According to MTA documents, paid monthly ridership has been down year-over-year for at least three months in 2026. In January, weekday paid rides were down 8.1% compared to 2025. The 7.7% decline in paid bus ridership in June followed an even sharper 10.4% decrease in May compared to the prior year. In June 2025, there were 1.32 million paid bus riders.
Lieber has consistently argued that making all buses fare-free would be financially unsustainable for the MTA, which is controlled by the state and not the city. The Independent Budget Office estimates that Mamdani's proposal would cost approximately $1.1 billion. The MTA is projecting budget deficits of $160 million in 2027, $243 million in 2028, and $306 million in 2029. Lieber reiterated that the agency cannot absorb the cost of universal free bus service, especially given riders who could pay but choose not to.
"Without rancor and without blame, I do think that we have to now turn as a city to reestablish the principle that everybody shares in the responsibility for contributing to this system," Lieber stated, emphasizing civic responsibility and the need for enforcement to ensure fairness.