The ongoing debate on free bus services highlights the challenges of balancing fare-free rides with service frequency. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani advocates for a dual approach: making buses free while also enhancing their operational speed by addressing long-standing city bus issues. Research indicates free buses can provide a faster transit experience, with potential increases in ridership. Mamdani emphasizes overcoming perceived competing priorities by fully staffing the bus unit to improve service reliability as part of his vision for New York City's public transportation.
Mamdani argues that the dilemma of choosing between free buses and service frequency can be resolved by making buses fare-free while also making them faster.
Research shows that fare-free buses would not only be quicker, allowing for a 12% reduction in time spent loading and unloading, but would also increase ridership significantly.
Mamdani emphasizes the importance of breaking the false notion of competing priorities between offering fare-free rides and improving service efficiency.
Staffing challenges within the bus unit hinder the effectiveness of bus priority efforts, indicating the city's need for greater investment in addressing these staffing issues.
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