Mamdani Faces Backlash After City Bus Fares Increase

The new mayor of New York City is facing a wave of criticism after fares for city buses increased this week, though he promised free buses for all residents during his campaign. New York City transit riders began paying higher fares this week after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority implemented a long-planned increase, raising the base fare for buses and subways from $2.90 to $3.

Reduced fares rose to $1.50, while express bus fares increased to $7.25, Newsweek reported.

The fare hike took effect shortly after Zohran Mamdani assumed office as mayor, drawing criticism online from residents who pointed to his campaign pledge to make city buses free. Critics argued the increase highlights a gap between campaign rhetoric and the financial realities of governing the nation’s largest city, the report said.

While the mayor does not directly control MTA fare decisions, the timing of the increase has renewed debate over whether progressive transit promises are achievable without new taxes or additional public subsidies. The MTA board approved the fare hike last year as part of its regular budget cycle, citing rising operating costs and inflation.

In response to the criticism, Mamdani posted on social media that he rode the Q70 bus, the city’s only fare-free route, over the weekend to hear from riders. He did not announce any immediate changes to fare policy.

“Today, New York City subway and bus fares rose from $2.90 to $3. I spent the evening riding the only free bus in the city, the Q70, to hear what a fare free ride has meant for New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote on X on Sunday. “What was clear right away was the relief this one bus line gives working class New Yorkers. Imagine if every bus felt like this.”

“As mayor, I’ll make every bus fast and free,” Mamdani said in a campaign video last year.

Mamdani took office on Thursday, and in his inauguration speech, he said: “Getting on a bus without worrying about a fare hike or whether you’ll be late to your destination will no longer be deemed a small miracle—because we will make buses fast and free.”

Although the fare increase was approved before Mamdani took office and rate increases are determined by the MTA Board, social media users still criticized the rise in costs and highlighted Mamdani’s campaign promise, Newsweek pointed out.

“Mamdani promised us a free ride, but all we got is a higher fare,” one X user wrote, per the outlet.

“Bus and Subway fares in NYC are jumping to $3 as of today. The good mayor promised free. Hoodwinked!” said another.

Another X user wrote that Mamdani “has been in office for 3 days” and “the fare increase was set in September.”

Supporters of the increase note that transit fares help fund system maintenance and operations, and that freezing or eliminating fares would require alternative funding sources. The MTA has warned that without periodic increases, the agency could face deeper service cuts or budget shortfalls.

The fare hike comes as city and state officials continue to grapple with balancing affordability for riders against the long-term financial stability of New York’s transit system.

The MTA noted on its website: “Fares and tolls give the MTA resources to operate a safe and reliable transportation system that New Yorkers can count on. Fare and toll changes are small and occur at regular intervals to keep up with inflation and avoid surprising customers with unpredictable or double-digit increases.”

Meanwhile, a federal bankruptcy judge on Thursday blocked Mamdani’s attempt to intervene in the sale of thousands of rent-stabilized apartments. The Mamdani administration sought to delay the transaction after tenants complained that the current owner, Pinnacle Group, had failed to properly maintain the properties.