Gov Kathy Hochul says no to Zohran Mamdani’s free bus plan

“I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways. But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course, we can,” Hochul said during a press conference.

Mamdani’s proposal for fare-free buses was a central promise of his mayoral campaign. He has called on the MTA, which is controlled by Governor Hochul, to eliminate fares entirely. The MTA has previously expressed skepticism toward the plan, which Mamdani has estimated could cost $700 million.

In an interview on NYI last month, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber explained that the effects of a free fare proposal would need to be studied.

“If a lot more people are riding the bus, are we going to need more buses or are we going to need more bus drivers?” Lieber said. “Will we need extra depots? What will be the impact on subway fare revenue if everyone moves to the — or some people move to the — bus, right? Those need to be studied.”

Hochul’s pushback against a key campaign proposal of Mamdani’s comes despite her backing the socialist during his campaign. Still, Hochul clarified over the weekend that she does not support the Democratic Socialists of America, of which Mamdani is a member.

“I don’t support them. I’ve made that clear,” Hochul said. She added that New York City would “remain a capitalist city focused on our legacy industries that must prosper because they’re the ones who generate the economic revenue, the revenue that we use to have programs that lift our people up.”

In response to criticism of his policies and concerns from voters wary of his socialist platform, Mamdani reiterated his claim that his focus is on working-class New Yorkers.

“I’ve said throughout the entirety of this campaign that this is a campaign to bring the struggles of working New Yorkers back to the focus of our politics, and to ensure that City Hall is seen as a place that not only recognizes those struggles but also delivers on the needs of those working people,” Mamdani told reporters.