The Brian Lehrer Show The Mayoral Race & Transportation
Jun 2, 2025
Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of 'Movement,' joins Dave Colon, a Streetsblog NYC reporter, to dive into New York City's mayoral candidates' plans for public transportation. They dissect the challenges of making mass transit safe and affordable, exploring the debate over fare-free buses and subway crime solutions. The conversation touches on the complexities of urban mobility, safety concerns surrounding micro-mobility, and the critical need for regulatory reforms in the bustling city.
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Pros and Cons of Free Buses
- Free bus systems can increase ridership but risk cannibalizing existing paying passengers.
- Targeted subsidies like Fair Fares better help low-income riders without losing necessary funding.
Speed Up Buses with Boarding
- Speed bus boarding by allowing all-door entry and eliminating fare waiting times.
- Faster boarding reduces bus trip times and improves overall service efficiency.
Free Buses Lack Global Success
- No global example shows success with fully free bus systems.
- Reliable, frequent, and fast service matters more than eliminating fares alone.
