A fresh pilot initiative, offering complimentary bus rides to New Yorkers along five distinct Routes, one in each borough, is set to commence this Sunday and continue for at least half a year.
Upon completion of the designated time frame, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will assess the gathered data to determine whether to extend the program for an additional six months or conclude it. Following the conclusion of the initiative, regular fares will be reinstated.
The chosen routes encompass the M116 in Manhattan, the B60 in Brooklyn, the Q4 in Queens, the Bx18 in the Bronx, and the S46/96 in Staten Island. These buses will clearly indicate that rides are free, and OMNY readers inside them will be fully covered. However, transfers to other routes or the subway will still require payment.
The MTA was compelled to initiate this program, originally including free rides on all bus routes, as part of a financial rescue plan integrated into the state budget. Similar measures are being adopted by other cities across the country.
Governor Kathy Hochul introduced the project earlier this summer, elucidating the rationale behind it. “The MTA is the lifeblood of New York City, and I’m proud of the significant progress we’ve achieved in restoring ridership to pre-pandemic levels,” stated the politician in an official release. “By implementing these fare-free bus pilot routes, we are expanding public transportation access throughout the city and enhancing transit fairness to better cater to all New Yorkers.”
The city specifically selected the affected bus lines for various reasons, notably their minimal overlap with other routes, allowing for more comprehensive and independent analysis of the program’s impact.
Presently, officials do not intend to augment the number of buses on the designated routes or introduce additional services to manage the expected influx of passengers utilizing the free rides.
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