About the pilot program
Starting September 24, 2023, five MTA bus routes — Bx18A/B, B60, M116, Q4, and S46/96 — will be fare-free. Passengers on these routes will be able to ride without paying the fare. This pilot program will run for at least six months.
The purpose of the pilot is to study how fare-free service affects ridership, access, equity, and fare evasion. It is made possible thanks to funding from the New York State FY2024 budget.
How it works
You will be able board a fare-free bus without paying. If you're transferring to another bus or the subway, you must pay the fare at the transfer point.
During the program period, Access-A-Ride paratransit service will also be fare-free for riders who begin and end a trip within 3/4 of a mile of the Bx18A/B, B60, M116, Q4, and S46/96 routes.
Buses that are part of the fare-free pilot can be identified in a few ways:
- Bus stops on participating routes will have signs
- Destination signs on the front of buses will show that the bus is fare-free
- Bus fare boxes will be covered with fare-free signage
Contact us
To provide feedback on the pilot, or to report issues or give general feedback, please use our online reporting system.