What you need to know
- The MTA will begin testing free buses on five routes, one in each borough, on Sunday, transit officials announced.
- Gov. Kathy Hochul previously said the pilot program would serve about 43,900 daily passengers on weekdays for six to 12 months.
- Routes were selected based on ridership, fare evasion, adequacy of service, equity to low-income and economically disadvantaged communities, and access to employment and commercial activities.
The MTA will begin testing free buses on five routes, one in each borough, on Sunday, transit officials announced.
The pilot program is expected to serve about 43,900 daily passengers on weekdays for six to 12 months, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul, who announced the program in July.
“The MTA is the lifeblood of New York City, and we are proud of the significant progress we have made in returning ridership to pre-pandemic levels.” Hochul said. “By establishing these free bus test routes, we will expand access to public transportation throughout the city and improve transportation equity to better serve all New Yorkers.”
New York City Public Defender Jumaane Williams said Wednesday that the program will save a family of four “$6,000 a year, which is a lot of money for most families in this city.”
Meanwhile, MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber hailed the pilot program’s “innovation” and “creative thinking”.
“We champion innovation and creative thinking across our transportation network, and we look forward to seeing how New Yorkers respond to this pilot program,” Lieber said.
The MTA chairman said Wednesday he doesn’t expect commuters on other lines to stop paying fares.
“You’re not going to hear that each municipality has one bus and assume that the entire system is free. But we’ve taken steps to ensure that no one is confused,” Lieber said. .
In addition, for bus operators on the route, the free service also allows them to take free breaks, allowing them to board the bus quickly and without any hassle.
Routes were selected based on ridership, fare evasion, adequacy of service, equity to low-income and economically disadvantaged communities, and access to employment and commercial activities. Additionally, it is important to note that the pilot does not include free transfers to other bus or metro lines.
Buses on routes in the pilot program will be marked “Fare Free” with green and black destination signs, digital signage inside the bus, decals inside the bus, and the cover of the fare box and OMNY reader.
The bus routes included in the six- to 12-month pilot are:
- Bx18 A/B The Bx18 A/B bus route runs daily during the day between Undercliff Avenue or Sedgwick Avenue and Grand Concourse/E 170 Street, along McCombs Road, Tremont Avenue, Undercliff Avenue/Sedgwick Avenue, 168 Street, and 170 Street. It will operate. It serves the Morris Heights, Highbridge and Mt Eden areas and connects to Line 4, B, D and several other bus lines.
- B60 It operates between Williams Avenue/Flatland Avenue in Canarsie and the Williamsburg Bridge Plaza. The route primarily runs along Rockaway Avenue and Wilson Avenue, serving the Canarsie, Brownsville, Ocean Hill, Bushwick, and Williamsburg areas. 3. Connected to C, L, G, J, M, and Z train and bus lines.
- M116 It operates daily during the day between W 106 Street/Broadway and E 120 Street/Pleasant Avenue. The route primarily follows 116 Street, Manhattan Avenue, and W 106 Street, serving the Harlem, East Harlem, and Morningside Heights neighborhoods. This route connects to the 1, 2, 3, 6, B, and C train and bus lines.
- 4th quarter LCL/LTD It runs between Jamaica Center and Parsons/Archer. Subway station and Linden Boulevard/235 Street. Some buses will operate with limited stops during weekday morning and afternoon rush hours. The route primarily runs along Linden Boulevard, Merrick Boulevard, and Archer Avenue, serving the Jamaica Center, South Jamaica, St. Albans, and Cambria Heights neighborhoods. it is, E, J, Z trains There is a St. Albans-Long Island Railroad station and several bus lines.
- S46/96 The S46 Local route, which operates between South Avenue, West Shore Plaza Shopping Center and the St. George Ferry Terminal, operates at all times, while the S96 Limited route operates in the peak direction only during weekday peak periods. The route primarily runs along Castleton Avenue, Victory Boulevard, Walker Street/Brabant Street, and South Avenue. It serves the St. George, Tompkinsville, West New Brighton, Port Richmond, Elm Park, Arlington, Bloomfield, and Chelsea areas, and also connects to SIR and the Staten Island Ferry.