Mamdani says he’s still committed to fast and free buses, despite plan that omits the free part

Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his commitment to making city buses both fast and free, despite a new 51-page plan titled 'Next Stop' that focuses solely on improving bus speeds. The plan, developed with state and MTA officials, includes a $900 million initiative to reduce trip times on 50 priority routes but omits any mention of eliminating bus fares, a key campaign promise. MTA Chair Janno Lieber expressed skepticism about free fares, advocating instead for expanding the Fair Fares discounted program.