NEW YORK (WABC) — New York Governor Kathy Hochul is pumping the breaks on Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s campaign promise to make city buses free.
On Monday, the governor said she is not ready to move forward with free buses, preferring to subsidize fares only for low-income riders.
“I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways,” she said. “But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course, we can.”
Hochul made the comment during the final day of the Somos Puerto Rico conference in San Juan.
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy then took the opportunity to weigh in on the topic on social media.
“Nothing in life is free,” Duffy said in a post on X. “New York City residents will unfortunately now learn it the hard way because they won’t be getting the free bus rides Mamdani promised. Remember this the next time you support a socialist.”
Mamdani, who declared victory on election night, cast his achievement as a win for blue-collar workers struggling to get by.
“New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change,” he said, vowing to “wake up each morning with a singular purpose: To make this city better for you than it was the day before.”
However, the 34-year-old, who will become the city’s youngest mayor, has faced some backlash over the feasibility of his proposals, including free bus rides for New Yorkers, which was a cornerstone of his campaign.
Cecile James is a life-long New York who would love free busses, but she’s also realistic.
“It would be nice if it happened, but this is a big city and we need the revenue for the city,” James said.
While critics scoff, Mamdani is moving ahead with his administration and is standing behind his promise.
“These are not just slogans. These are commitments, and I look forward to delivering on them,” Mamdani said.
Meanwhile, Hochul, who balked at putting her support behind Mamdani’s free bus plan, did offer insight on where she stands with some of his other campaign promises.
Hochul says she is looking at expanding universal childcare statewide. She said the total price tag would be $15 billion.
“Childcare I already committed to. So, we will be on a path to get there. I’m committed to this,” she said. “As mom governor, I get it, but also to do it statewide right now, it’s about $15 billion – the entire amount of my reserves.”
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