"Mayor-elect Mamdani's promise of "fast and free" buses only hints at what a modern bus experience should feel like. However, transportation experts have mostly framed his priorities in terms of difficult tradeoffs. Like other transit planners, I am skeptical that free fares are the best way to invest scarce transit dollars - but a bigger problem is that our idea of what the bus system could be is far too small."
"Collaboration among city agencies will determine whether the Mamdani administration succeeds at transforming the bus rider experience. Getting the governance right will set the stage for the requisite policy, infrastructure, and operational changes. Improving buses isn't the sole job of the MTA and DOT. Speeding them up also requires definitive action from the Department of Design and Construction, for infrastructure such as level boarding islands; NYPD, for improved enforcement of bus-only street space; and Sanitation, for keeping bus lanes clear of debris."
Mayor-elect Mamdani's pledge of "fast and free" buses signals a desire for a modern transit experience, but free fares alone are unlikely to deliver the needed improvements. Experience improving bus systems in ten cities across six countries shows that governance and cross-agency collaboration are essential to meaningful change. Coordinated action by transit agencies, departments of transportation and design, police for enforcement, and sanitation for lane maintenance enables faster, more reliable service. Investments should prioritize infrastructure like level boarding islands, dedicated bus lanes, and operational reforms to maximize speed and reliability rather than relying primarily on fare elimination.
Read at Streetsblog
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