Mamdani Promised Free Buses — Now Nearly Half of Riders Are Taking Him at His Word

Zohran Mamdani spent his entire mayoral campaign promising “fast and free buses.” He won. New Yorkers apparently believed him. Paid bus ridership fell nearly 8% in June compared to the same month last year. During Mamdani’s first six months, bus fare revenue dropped $31 million compared to the first half of 2025. Nearly half of bus riders are now skipping the $3 fare entirely.

Only, the policy’s not official yet. Bus fares are still in place. Three bucks a ride. Now Mamdani’s got another problem: A looming massive bus maintenance budget and driver salary shortfall.

This is what happens when you promise something you can’t deliver: people take the promise seriously even when the policy doesn’t exist. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber blamed the rhetoric directly, telling reporters: “With malice towards none, I say all of the talk of free buses, it has an impact.”