The city that inspired Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s ambitious plan to provide free bus service to New York City commuters is now backtracking and refunding fares after its $50 million initiative fell apart.
Kansas City, Missouri, which was the first in the country to implement free bus rides in 2020 using federal pandemic relief funds, reinstated fares this month. The operating costs surged to around $15 million annually—almost double the initial estimate—culminating in the program’s downfall as funding dried up.
This zero-fare service was a key component of Mamdani’s campaign but has faced criticism from users and drivers in Missouri, who have labeled it an unreliable option and, unfortunately, sometimes a makeshift homeless shelter when federal resources run out.
Tyler Means, the chief mobility and strategy officer for the Kansas City Regional Transit Authority, noted, “Funding and support have dried up, forcing us to either further reduce service or change fares to support service.”
Transportation officials pointed out that the program became unsustainable as the federal assistance came to an end, leading to increased costs.
Initially, the Kansas City Regional Transit Authority projected an annual loss of about $8.8 million in fare revenue but later found that the expenses related to maintaining the free bus network had ballooned to approximately $15 million due to unexpected costs and inflation.
Public transportation planning consultant Jarrett Walker commented, “Zero fares mean reduced service.”
Mamdani has frequently highlighted that even with a sizable budget of $124 billion, he is struggling to fund his initiatives. He has called on Albany to continue its free bus project, which allows free travel on certain routes within the city.
Despite the setbacks, the mayor remains committed to his goal of making city buses free, a move that might demand about $800 million to make up for lost fare revenue.
City Hall has not yet responded to requests for further comment.
