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NYC Mayor-Elect Eyes Iowa's Free Buses
24 Nov
Summary
- Iowa City's free bus program reduced emissions significantly.
- Ridership in Iowa City increased by 18% post-fare elimination.
- New York City's mayor-elect proposes a similar fare-free transit plan.
Iowa City's bold move to eliminate bus fares two years ago has yielded impressive results, offering a potential blueprint for other major cities. The pilot program, launched in August 2023, aimed to reduce car emissions and boost public transit use.
Within two years, ridership surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 18 percent, and city streets became less congested. Government calculations show a reduction of 1.8 million miles driven and 24,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to removing over 5,000 vehicles. The program's popularity led the City Council to extend it for another year.
This transit model is now drawing attention nationwide, notably from New York City's mayor-elect, who has pledged to make buses free. Despite some skepticism, Iowa City's experience demonstrates that fare-free transit can be effective when combined with convenient and appealing service, suggesting a promising future for sustainable urban mobility.
