Free Fares, Rising Costs: The Hidden Price of Transit Reform

17 Feb 2026 · 1 min

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0:45

In this YouTube excerpt, the speaker summarizes Emily Galvin Almeinza’s New York Times reporting on free‑fare transit pilots. The New York City pilot saw ridership rise by about 30 % on weekdays and 38 % on weekends, while assaults on bus operators fell 39 %. Boston’s pilot cut boarding time by 23 %. At the same time, New York Transit Police overtime costs surged, rising $4 million in 2022 to $155 million in 2020 (likely a typo, but indicating a massive increase). The speaker argues that eliminating fares can offset these hidden costs by reducing enforcement, court cases, jail strain, and administrative overhead.

Chapters

In the New York Times, Emily Galvin Almeinza argues that free bus programs deliver more than small rider saving. In New York City's pilot ridership rose 30% on weekdays, 38% on weekends. Salts on bus operators dropped 39%. Boston tried this. They saw boarding time cut 23%. Meanwhile, New York Transit Police overtime jumped $4 million in 2022 $155 million in 20 was chasing the people who were trying to jump over the turnstiles to get into the subway and in the bus. Eliminating fares reduces enforcement costs, court cases, jail strain, and administrative overhead.