Hochul appears to squash Mayor-elect Mamdani's plan for fare-free buses in NYC

"I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways. But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course, we can."

"Meanwhile, Jen Goodman, a spokesperson for the governor, told amNewYork that Hochul and Mamdani are committed to delivering an affordability agenda for New York's working families. The governor is focused on achieving universal child care and will continue to have ongoing conversations on other proposals, including making transit more accessible and affordable, while ensuring the MTA has the resources it needs to serve New Yorkers, Goodman said."

"Hochul has already invested in the MTA's $68.4 billion capital plan for infrastructure and subway safety improvements. She, along with MTA officials, has also invested in fare evasion prevention strategies on city buses and subways, a scourge that contributes nearly $1 billion in revenue loss for the state-run transportation agency."

Governor Kathy Hochul expressed concern that eliminating fares would remove crucial revenue from a system dependent on bus and subway fares, while asking whether more affordable options can be found for those in need. A governor spokesperson said Hochul and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani remain committed to an affordability agenda, emphasizing universal child care and continuing talks on making transit more accessible while preserving MTA resources. Hochul has invested in the MTA's $68.4 billion capital plan and in fare-evasion prevention. Fare evasion causes nearly $1 billion in losses; bus evasion alone cost $315 million in 2022. Mamdani proposes raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy to fund fare-free buses.

Read at www.amny.com