Governor Hochul Questions Free Bus Initiative
New York Governor Kathy Hochul appears to be expressing doubts about the free bus plan proposed by New York City Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani. During a recent conference in Puerto Rico, she mentioned the significant funding involved, stating, “We’re spending so much money that we can’t plan right now to take money out of a system that relies on bus and subway fares.”
Hochul’s comments were directed at the state funding allocated to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which oversees the city’s bus services. However, she did suggest the possibility of finding ways to make transportation more affordable for those in need, adding, “Of course it is possible.”
This reflection comes shortly after Hochul had shown her support for Mamdani during the gubernatorial race. Mamdani recently reiterated his commitment to improving the city’s bus service, emphasizing that he was “excited about the work we are doing to make America’s slowest buses faster and free,” while appreciating Hochul’s partnership in addressing affordability.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, advocates for increasing taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers to fund initiatives like free bus rides and universal child care. His proposal includes a rise in personal income tax by two percentage points for the top 1% of earners and elevating the corporate tax rate to match New Jersey’s.
He stated, “I believe the easiest way to do that is to actually fund universal child care and make buses fast and free,” outlining these taxation measures as necessary steps. He also acknowledged that if alternative funding methods were available, ensuring financial support for these initiatives is paramount.
Currently, bus rides in New York City cost $2.90, while express buses charge $7. In recent years, the MTA has been trying to tackle issues related to fare evasion, which reportedly resulted in a loss of around $315 million in 2022.
