Free MTA Bus Rides Are Over As Front Boarding Restarts

NEW YORK CITY — The days of free bus rides in New York City are over.

MTA reopened the front doors on its buses Monday, ending a rear-boarding coronavirus safety policy that gave New Yorkers effectively free bus rides.

“Alas, we’ve got to start collecting fares,” said Sarah Feinberg, interim president of New York City Transit Authority, on NY1’s Mornings On 1. “Look, the MTA financial situation is really dire and so it’s time for us to start collecting fares again.”

The transit agency last week painted a dire financial picture caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Service cuts of up to 40 percent are likely if MTA doesn’t get $12 billion in federal aid, officials warned.

MTA will install safety barriers between riders and bus drivers to stop the virus’ spread, officials said. They also claimed reopening buses’ front sections would give riders more room to social distance.