Starting this weekend, five city bus lines will be free.
This is part of a six-month pilot program, which begins this Sunday.
The routes are BX18 in the Bronx, B-60 in Brooklyn, M-116 in Manhattan, Q-4 in Queens and S-46/96 in Staten Island.
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According to the MTA, these routes serve about 45,000 passengers each week.
Buses on those routes will be marked with digital and physical signs indicating that they are free and will have their OMNY readers covered.
The pilot program was authorized as part of this year’s state budget.
State Senator Mike Gianaris posted a message on social media about the program, praising the efforts of the #FixTheMTA campaign.
“FREE BUSES ARE HERE! Thanks to the success of our #FixTheMTA campaign, 5 New York bus routes will operate fare-free starting Sunday! Riders will be able to ride buses Bx18 A/B, B60, M116, Q4 LCL/LTD and S46/96 without paying for swiping,” the senator wrote.
FREE BUSES ARE HERE! Thanks to the success of our #FixTheMTA campaign, 5 NYC bus routes will operate fare-free starting Sunday! Riders will be able to hop the Bx18 A/B, B60, M116, Q4 LCL/LTD, and S46/96 buses without paying for a swipe pic.twitter.com/4JcUQsJ6o0
— Sen. Mike Gianaris (@SenGianaris) September 19, 2023
After six months, the MTA will analyze data on ridership, service, speeds and costs before deciding whether to extend the pilot for an additional six months.
State Assemblyman Zohran Kwame Mandani also posted a message on social media about the program.
“Parts of the #FixTheMTA package were included in this year’s state budget: including 1 fare-free bus line pilot in each county.
“The pilot starts this Sunday: get ready for faster, safer and free buses!” Mandani said.
Parts of the #FixTheMTA package were included in this year’s state budget: including 1 fare-free bus line pilot in each borough.
The pilot begins this Sunday – get ready for faster, safer and free buses! pic.twitter.com/DHLpNAd6Cj
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) September 18, 2023
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2023-09-20 20:25:00
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