NYC Bus Riders Prefer Faster Service Over Free Fares
Commuters on the M15 route said reliable schedules matter more than eliminating the $3 fare. Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plan would remove fares on more than 300 routes at an estimated cost of $700 million.
Riders on New York City's busiest bus route said they value on-time performance more than the removal of fares. A dozen commuters interviewed on the M15 Select bus in May described the need to reach work, school, and appointments on schedule as their top priority.
Ana Terrones, 34, travels from the Bronx to her housekeeping job on the Upper East Side. She said rent and grocery prices rise each year, yet she rarely notices the $3 fare. Saving minutes mattered more than saving dollars. Yulia Chulad travels from East Harlem to her downtown teaching job on the same route.
She said she is unsure whether she would ride the bus if it were free. One-third of buses fail to arrive on time, according to a 2025 analysis by the NYC Comptroller's Office.
Eliminating fares on more than 300 routes would cost at least $700 million annually, Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated. The MTA, a state agency, controls fares, so the city would need support from state lawmakers. Bus fares currently generate $652 million each year.
A 2023 city experiment with five no-fare routes increased ridership but also slowed service and raised costs. Kansas City and Boston reported similar results after their free-bus trials.
Adding dedicated bus lanes would cost about $123 million, far less than removing fares. Elizabeth Adams, the city's newly appointed free-and-fast bus czar, said the administration intends to pursue both faster service and fare elimination. Many riders said the bus feels safer than the subway.
The MTA recorded more crimes on the subway last year than on buses. Several commuters added that they already spend between $50 and $100 monthly on fares and view the service as worth paying for.
