🚨 NYC Lawmaker Zohran Mamdani Proposes Free Public Bus Rides — Funded by New Taxes on the Wealthy

In a move that’s already ignited heated debate across New York politics, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D–Queens) has announced a bold new proposal to make all city bus rides free for everyone — funded entirely by tax hikes on the top 1% of earners and large corporations.

The proposal, dubbed the “Free Transit for All Act,” was unveiled Monday during a spirited policy debate at City Hall. Mamdani, a prominent democratic socialist and rising star on the progressive left, argued that public transportation is a human right — not a privilege based on income.

“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries and paying for a ride to work,” Mamdani declared. “Transit is the lifeblood of our city. If Wall Street can afford tax loopholes, our working class can afford free buses.”

The Plan: ‘Free for All — Paid by the Few’

Under Mamdani’s proposal, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) would eliminate fares on all city buses, which currently cost $2.90 per ride.

To fund the estimated $800 million annual shortfall, Mamdani’s bill calls for a progressive tax increase targeting:

New Yorkers earning over $1 million annually

Major corporations reporting profits above $10 million per year

Mamdani claims the new taxes would generate more than enough revenue to cover lost fare revenue, improve driver wages, and expand service routes in underfunded boroughs like Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

“This isn’t a handout,” he insisted. “It’s an investment in equity, sustainability, and the economic heartbeat of our communities.”

‘Socialism on Wheels,’ Critics Say

Not everyone is buying it.

Republican lawmakers and several centrist Democrats blasted the proposal, warning that it could push more wealthy residents and corporations out of New York, further shrinking the city’s tax base.

Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R–Long Island) derided the plan as “socialism on wheels.”

“This is what happens when ideology replaces arithmetic,” Fitzpatrick said. “You can’t tax your way to prosperity. Free buses sound great until the middle class ends up paying the bill.”

Business groups echoed the concern, arguing that higher corporate taxes could make New York even less competitive at a time when many companies are already leaving for Florida, Texas, and North Carolina.

“We’ve already lost Goldman offices and tech firms to lower-tax states,” said Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City. “Policies like this accelerate the exodus.”

Public Support and Political Momentum

Still, Mamdani’s proposal is finding traction among progressive lawmakers, labor unions, and transit advocacy groups who have long pushed for fare-free public transport.

The Transit Justice Coalition — a network of activists, bus drivers, and riders — praised the plan as “justice in motion.”

“Every fare hike punishes the poor,” said coalition spokesperson Nia Henderson. “Free buses mean cleaner air, less congestion, and a fairer city.”

A recent poll by the City University of New York found that 62% of city residents support fare-free public transportation, especially among low-income households and younger voters.

Mamdani’s plan mirrors similar experiments in cities such as Boston, Kansas City, and Luxembourg, where eliminating bus fares has reportedly increased ridership and reduced transportation inequality.

A Broader Progressive Push

The proposal fits squarely within Mamdani’s broader political philosophy — part of a new generation of Democratic Socialists who argue that public goods should be publicly funded.

Mamdani, who represents the diverse Astoria neighborhood, has been a vocal critic of corporate tax breaks and fare hikes that disproportionately affect working-class families.

“When billionaires get subsidies, it’s called economic development,” he said during Monday’s session. “When ordinary New Yorkers get a break, suddenly it’s called socialism. That double standard has to end.”

He also tied the plan to climate goals, saying that free public transit would encourage more people to leave their cars at home, reducing traffic and emissions in one of the world’s most congested cities.

“Every person who rides a free bus instead of driving is doing their part for the planet,” Mamdani said. “Let’s make it easier for them to do the right thing.”

The Budget Question

Skeptics, however, remain unconvinced that the math adds up.

Economists warn that relying on volatile income taxes from the city’s top earners could destabilize long-term transit funding — especially during economic downturns when the wealthy often relocate or report less taxable income.

“New York already depends on a small fraction of taxpayers for nearly half its revenue,” noted fiscal analyst James Parrott of the New School. “Adding another layer of taxation could make that imbalance worse.”

The MTA, which is already facing a projected $2.5 billion budget gap by 2028, has not yet endorsed the plan but said it is “open to innovative ideas” for improving access and ridership.

The Political Fallout

The proposal comes just months before the 2026 state elections, where issues like cost of living, transportation, and income inequality are expected to dominate the debate.

Republicans are already framing Mamdani’s plan as part of a broader “tax-and-spend socialist agenda.” Progressives, meanwhile, see it as a test of political will in a city that often talks about fairness but struggles to deliver it.

“This is about who gets to move — and who gets left behind,” Mamdani told reporters. “If we can’t afford to move our people, then we’ve lost sight of what public service means.”

The Bottom Line

Whether hailed as a visionary step toward economic justice or dismissed as fiscal recklessness, Mamdani’s “Free Transit for All” proposal has reignited one of New York’s oldest debates:

Who should pay for the city that never sleeps — and who gets to move freely within it?