Brooklyn served as the site of a transit-focused rally this past weekend, where members of the Riders Alliance gathered to call on the incoming administration to make buses free and expand affordable commuting options. The event, held at the Atlantic Ave.-Barclays Center subway station on Sunday, coincides with the upcoming 10-cent fare increase to $3, as reported by PIX11.
The initiative for fare-free transit is intended to increase accessibility, a focus that incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani has indicated he will address. With fare increases scheduled for January 4, advocates continue their efforts. In a statement provided to AMNY, Riders Alliance member Norma Ginez said they are “prepared to fight for a real affordable plan, one that makes the buses fast and free.” The initiative also includes calls to expand the Fair Fares program, which offers half-price fares to low-income riders but is limited in scope.
Some transit users have expressed concerns about potential effects of fare-free buses, including increased use of buses for purposes other than transportation. Ira Polinsky of Brooklyn told PIX11 that he considers the current fare reasonable for people with steady income.
The rally focused on advancing transit accessibility. Brian Fritsch, associate director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, said to AMNY that the Fair Fares program could be expanded to include workers earning at or near minimum wage and additional transit options, such as Metro-North and express buses. The MTA is also experiencing revenue losses from fare evasion, particularly on buses, which impacts public transit funding.
As Zohran Mamdani prepares to take office on January 1, the Riders Alliance and its members are highlighting transit affordability. With signs reading "Make Transit Affordable" and "Free the Bus," their message extends beyond Brooklyn into broader discussions on urban mobility and social equity. The incoming mayor has expressed a commitment to addressing these issues, though implementing fare-free buses will involve multiple stakeholders, including the MTA and state authorities. Leilani Cook of Jamaica, Queens, emphasized the real-world impact of these policies in a statement to AMNY.
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