One of Zohran Mamdani’s signature promises that may have helped him clinch the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor is the elimination of bus fares — a proposal inspired by cities in and outside of the US where free transit has gained traction.

At $2.90 per ride, wiping out fares would leave a major hole in Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s already-strained budget, prompting questions about whether Mamdani could actually deliver — and what trade-offs might be required. The assemblyman says he has a plan to find alternative funding, but it would ultimately require approval from state and local lawmakers who have a range of ideologies, Sri Taylor and Michelle Kaske report. Today on CityLab: Can Mamdani Bring Free Buses to New York City?

— Linda Poon

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