BILL NUMBER: S4421
SPONSOR: GIANARIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to enacting the
"Make Transit Affordable Act"
 
PURPOSE:
To improve MTA affordability by renewing and expanding the fare-free bus
pilot program to three free buses per borough and freezing the assumed
2025 fare increase on subways and buses.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill sets the short title as the "Make Transit
Affordable (MTA) Act."
Section two of the bill provides the legislative findings and intent.
Section three of the bill amends the public authorities law by adding a
new § 1266-n, which renews the fare-free bus program and extends it to a
total of 15 bus routes (three per borough) for one year, at a cost of
$45 million, subject to appropriation by the state. This section further
provides that the MTA shall select such fare-free bus routes according
to several factors, including addressing service adequacy and equity for
low-income and economically disadvantaged communities as well as access
to employment and commercial activity. Each route selected must also
rank in the top 25 percent of ridership for the given borough. This
section also requires the authority to conduct surveys on rider demo-
graphic and satisfaction with bus service, implement all-door boarding
on fare-free buses, and raise awareness about the pilot program.
Section four directs the authority to allocate $160,000,000 annually to
offset the elimination of the 4% fare hike contemplated by the authori-
ty's Financial Plan published in November of 2024.
Section five of the bill sets an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In the FY2024 state budget, the legislature funded an MTA free bus pilot
program, leading to one free route in each borough for a one-year peri-
od. The MTA's analysis of data from the 2024 program found that the
pilot led to average ridership increases of 30 percent on weekdays and
38 percent on weekends (1). The pilot program also brought in additional
bus riders, 70% of whom reported earning less than $50,000 in annual
household income. These findings show that buses free at the point of
use for all New Yorkers increases the use of public transportation
throughout the city and eases financial burdens associated with transit.
The pilot program also showed a significant decline in verbal and phys-
ical assaults against bus operators on fare-free routes. One route
recorded a 71 percent decrease in assaults during the pilot period.
Expanding the free bus pilot program will not only improve the daily
lives of many New Yorkers, but also the safety of bus operators, who
will be freer to ensure that buses advance safely and swiftly through
New York.
Additionally, free buses encouraged a modal shift for a significant
number of riders, highlighting the positive environmental impact of the
free bus pilot program. Of new riders, 11 percent reported previously
commuting by car or taxi. In expanding the free bus pilot programs to
three routes per borough, we can expect real benefits to the environment
and congestion as riders shift from personal vehicles to free buses.
After congestion pricing's January 2025 rollout, we need to follow up on
our promise to transform public transit. Given the success of the 2024
pilot program, free bus service is the key to ensuring that everyday New
Yorkers profit from enhanced investment in the system.
This bill would also direct funds to prevent an assumed August 2025 fare
increase on buses and subways. Increasing the fares by four percent
would render transit less affordable to too many New Yorkers, and this
bill will halt transportation inflation.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
$205,000,000 cost to the State
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
1. https://mta.info/document/147096