New York City transit officials say political promises of free bus travel, associated with mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, may be encouraging more passengers to avoid paying fares. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) argues that this is worsening fare evasion and reducing revenue needed to operate and maintain the city’s transport network.

MTA chairman Janno Lieber reportedly linked the rhetoric to a July rise in unpaid bus fares, with losses estimated at $31 million. Mamdani has advocated free buses as part of a wider affordability agenda, while the Transit Workers Union has warned that the proposal could create expectations that passengers need not pay under the current system.