A free ride for many
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (50818)
Staten Island, New York
April 6, 2026 9:15pm CST
When our mayor (Mamdani) ran for mayor of NYC he promised people that buses will be free. That’s never going to happen but for many the buses are actually free because they refuse to pay.
Some get on the bus without paying, not saying a word. Some say “thank you” to the bus driver and proceed further into the bus without paying. Do they think that saying “thank you” makes their not paying any better? It doesn’t. Some get on through the back door.
The sign on the front of the bus that says FARE REQUIRED does nothing to make people pay their fare.
The bus drivers say nothing when people don’t pay. I don’t know if they are afraid of a confrontation from non-paying customers or if they are told to say nothing. Either way it’s not right. And it’s not fair to those that actually pay their fare.
6 people like this
5 responses
@lovebuglena (50818)
• Staten Island, New York
Just now
Some bus drivers actually don’t allow people on if they don’t pay. Depends on who it is I guess.
Some people try to pay and if their transit card or credit card doesn’t work for some reason the driver lets them through but at least they try to pay.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (497622)
• Italy
Just now
@lovebuglena - There are groups of young people who are very aggressive. The bus drivers do not dare to stop them.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (218327)
• United States
2h
I too understand why the bus drivers stay silent. It's best that they don't start a confrontation.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (50818)
• Staten Island, New York
Just now
Of course they don’t want that. Supposedly fare evasion is enforced but I guess it depends where. Where I live I haven’t seen any cops or MTA personnel go on buses and check if people have paid or not.
@lovebuglena (50818)
• Staten Island, New York
Just now
I didn’t vote for him and some good that did. He still got elected.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (8040)
• United Kingdom
5h
The single fare for buses here has been capped at a low price for a few years now. It was £2.50, but I think it is now £3. There are concessions, that allow free travel: if you are of state pension age, or have a disability, or are a young person. I am of state pension age, but rarely travel by bus because it is too traumatic to travel with the great unwashed. Plus, I only have one pair of bus pants.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (50818)
• Staten Island, New York
Just now
Our bus fare is $3. If you are a senior citizen (65+) you ride for half price. The express bus fare is $7.25. Senior citizens also ride for half the price but only when it’s not peak hours.
@LooeyVille (33)
• United States
3h
Why should busses be free? Why would the mayor promise that? It's a nice public service, but taxpayers shouldn't front the whole bill for busses, gas, and drivers.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (50818)
• Staten Island, New York
Just now
He wanted to get elected and so he promised people what they would want so they would then go vote for him.
