"ALBANY - Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's plan to make buses free is already drawing concerns from the state lawmakers whose support he'll need to make it happen - not about the concept, per se, but rather the politics and timing of such a drastic change to the MTA's operations. In the grand scheme of things, the estimated $800-million cost of free buses isn't outlandish for a state whose annual budget clocked in at $254 billion this year. But Albany insiders worry fiscal prudence may be warranted amid President Trump's ongoing war on the finances of New York and other "blue" states. That context make make passing Mamdani's free bus proposal an "uphill battle," political consultant Jack O'Donnell told Streetsblog."
""There's definitely some energy around it. It certainly caught on during the election as something that motivated voters," O'Donnell said. "But I think there's a realization that it's really super expensive." He added, "It's pretty hard to say folks in New York City deserve free buses, when there are much more limited options in terms of public transportation throughout the rest of the state.""
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani proposes making buses free in New York City. State lawmakers express concern about the political timing and fiscal implications for MTA operations. The estimated cost is about $800 million, compared with a $254 billion state budget, but officials worry federal pressure on blue-state finances increases risk. Political consultant Jack O'Donnell called passage an uphill battle despite voter enthusiasm. Lawmakers may prefer reviving or expanding a targeted free bus pilot rather than implementing a citywide free-bus program immediately.
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