New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who endorsed Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in September, said on November 8 she will not back his proposal to make city buses free, citing the MTA’s reliance on fare revenue. She added she is open to targeted affordability measures for riders in need.
Governor Kathy Hochul on Saturday said she does not support Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s campaign pledge to make New York City buses free, arguing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority cannot afford to lose fare income.
“I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways,” Hochul told reporters at the SOMOS conference in San Juan on Nov. 8. “But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course we can.” NY1 first reported the remarks and timing of the availability. Politico also reported the governor’s comments from the Puerto Rico event.
Hochul said she intends to work with Mamdani where they agree while maintaining differences on key policies. “We’re aligned on some of these issues. I’ve made it clear where I have strong disagreements with issues that really do not pertain to the governance of New York City,” she said, adding that discussions between their teams would continue. Those remarks were also captured in video shared by reporters.
The governor’s position underscores the fiscal constraints around transit policy. While funding for the MTA has diversified since the pandemic, fares and tolls still represent a substantial share of the operating budget, according to the state comptroller. Hochul’s comments came as she promoted broader affordability priorities, including phased expansion of child care.
Hochul endorsed Mamdani in a New York Times op-ed on Sept. 14, a move widely covered by national and local outlets. Mamdani, a democratic socialist and Queens assemblymember, was elected New York City’s next mayor on Nov. 4 and will take office on Jan. 1, 2026, according to multiple outlets that called the race.
Two points of tension also surfaced around the event: Hochul’s stance on making buses free and her broader posture toward federal immigration enforcement. In addition to rejecting fare-free buses for now, she said she would do what she could to prevent an influx of ICE agents operating in New York City, according to the Daily Wire’s account of the press conference. Separately, the governor in recent months has criticized aggressive ICE tactics while saying she supports targeting violent offenders.
The political dynamics remain fluid. Hochul’s endorsement signaled a willingness to collaborate with the incoming mayor, even as some Democrats have withheld support for Mamdani or criticized his agenda. Mamdani has not endorsed Hochul for reelection, according to the New York Post. For now, both leaders say they will look for common ground on affordability while acknowledging substantial policy differences—starting with how to pay for public transit.