Mamdani’s Socialist Dream to Shakeup Transit for New Yorkers
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has made his push for “fast and free buses” a signature goal of his administration, describing it as both a move to boost affordability and a long-needed remedy for a bus network long regarded as neglected. However, his ambitious plan is expected to face tough political challenges within the city.
Supporters say eliminating bus fares would ease tensions, improve safety, and immediately help riders who depend most on public transit. Critics, including media commentators and transit experts, caution that the proposal could leave a substantial budget shortfall for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) unless sustainable funding and a solid operational strategy are established.
Despite serving millions of passengers daily, New York City’s bus network remains one of the slowest in the country.
“We have the nation’s largest number of riders but the slowest buses—it’s fundamentally unfair and frankly embarrassing,” Danny Pearlstein, policy and communications director for the Riders Alliance, told Fox News Digital during a ride through the Bronx.
That sense of long-standing neglect has helped Mamdani’s pitch gain traction politically. Pearlstein noted that bus riders—many of them students, seniors, and caregivers—struggle with the same time and financial pressures as drivers and subway users, but have seen their needs ignored for years.
“That’s why the administration’s push for fast and free buses truly resonates,” he said.
Pearlstein’s comments are featured in Fox News Digital’s “The Rise of Socialism” series, which explores the growing influence of socialist-leaning policies and ideas on political debates and urban governance across major U.S. cities.
Advocates often highlight improved safety and less conflict as key benefits. Several interviewees said fare disputes frequently spark tension between passengers and bus drivers.
“Removing fare collection eliminates a major source of friction between riders and operators,” said Brian Fritsch, associate director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC). “It fosters a safer environment for drivers, which has been a concern for years.”