In ancient Rome, the government attempted to curry favor with the masses by offering free bread and circuses. Now we have a call for free NYC Transit bus rides by state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.

They would have residents ride buses for free for four years. Will this apply to $6.75 express buses as well?

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority currently faces a multi-billion dollar multi-year financial deficit. This does not include future wage increases that the Transit Workers Union will ask for when their current contract expires in May 2023.

The MTA only budgeted 2% per year for the next contract. The TWU will obviously ask for far more just to keep up with inflation Whatever the TWU wins, other LIRR and Metro North Rail Road unions will ask for parity.

The MetroCard introduced in 1996 affords a free transfer between bus and subway. Prior to this, riders had to pay two full fares. A majority of residents purchase either a weekly or monthly NYC Transit bus/subway Metro or OMNY Card. NYC offers a “Fair Fares” program to help New Yorkers with low incomes manage transportation costs.

Using the Fair Fares NYC MetroCard, eligible NYC residents receive a 50% discount on subway and bus fares.

Financial viability of the MTA has always been a four-way dance between farebox revenue, City Hall, Albany and Washington.

All we ask in return is a reliable, safe, on-time trip and as periodically necessary – a reasonable fare increase that doesn’t exceed the current inflation rate. There also needs to be real legal consequences to those who don’t pay their way and contribute to fare evasion which will reach $500 million in 2022.

There is no such thing as a free lunch or in this case ride for everyone who uses mass transit.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a former Director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.