How Do We Make Public Transit Free?

Look, it’s not going to be easy. In 2024, the MTA brought in about $5 billion via subway and bus fares, and that is real money that helped keep the system operating. The Free Transit Party wants that reduced to zero, but we’re not dumb: We understand that the difference has to be made up somehow—and, just as important, that free transit is not simply a matter of flipping a switch and turning off the fare system.

We are in favor of a step-by-step approach to reducing transit fares:

• The free bus program piloted by City Council member Zohran Mamdani and New York State Senator Michael Gianaris was a great idea, but it ended last year. It, and programs like it, should continue, and expand to encompass more and more bus routes, until they’re all finally free of charge.

• The MTA should expand its half-price fare program for seniors, low-income residents, and those with qualifying disabilities—continually reducing the fares beyond the current 50% discount, increasing the number of people who qualify for the discount, and making it easier to apply for the program.

• The MTA should identify the hours when the subway is least in use and make those times free or reduced cost, whether they are overnight or, say, after the morning rush hour.

Those are just a few simple ideas to get our city moving toward an entirely free system. Obviously, the revenue part of it needs to be solved as well, and we’ll get to that in our other posts and emails.