Back in May of this year, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the transit highlights of the FY 2024 Budget, which included $15 million to fund a pilot program providing five fare-free bus routes in NYC. And today, Monday, July 17, Hochul announced which routes would be included in the pilot.
The pilot, which is set to launch September 24, 2023–a month earlier than initially anticipated–is a way to get New Yorkers back onto the bus system after ridership levels dropped due to the pandemic.
“The MTA is the lifeblood of NYC, and I’m proud of the tremendous progress we’ve made in returning ridership to pre-pandemic levels,” said Hochul. “By establishing these fare free bus pilot routes, we are expanding access to public transportation across the city and improving transit equity to better serve all New Yorkers.”
The buses will collectively serve 43,900 daily weekday riders and will be in effect for a period of six to twelve months.
Buses on routes included in the pilot will be clearly marked “Fare Free” with green and black destination signage, digital signage onboard buses, decals inside the bus, and covers on farebox and OMNY readers.
The bus routes are as follows:
- Bx18 A/B – Operating daily during daytime hours between Undercliff Avenue or Sedgwick Avenue and Grand Concourse/E 170 Street.
- B60 – Operating between Williams Avenue/Flatlands Avenue in Canarsie and Williamsburg Bridge Plaza.
- M116 – Operating daily during daytime hours between W 106 Street/Broadway and E 120 Street/Pleasant Avenue.
- Q4 LCL/LTD – Operating between the Jamaica Ctr-Parsons/Archer E, J, Z subway station and Linden Boulevard/235 Street.
- S46/96 – Operating between South Avenue, West Shore Plaza Shopping Center and the St. George Ferry Terminal, the S46 local route operates at all times and the S96 Limited route operates on weekdays only in the peak period, peak direction.
Routes were chosen based on a several factors, including ridership, fare evasion, service adequacy, equity for low-income and economically disadvantaged communities, and access to employment and commercial activity. The pilot will not include free transfers to other buses or subway lines.
“We have championed innovation and creative thinking across the transportation network and look forward to seeing how New Yorkers respond to this pilot program,” stated MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber.
After six months, the MTA will evaluate the pilot on metrics such as ridership, scheduled service levels, bus speeds, security, and costs, says amNY. The bus routes will then either remain free for an additional six months or revert to a paid service.
The news comes just a few weeks after the first phase of weekend service increases on the G, J and M lines.