The state will give the MTA $7.9 billion from the newly passed state budget, but that doesn’t include money for programs advocates were hoping for, like a reauthorization of a free bus pilot on five routes or an expansion of the program to 15 routes. Riders on the M116 are not happy.

“Well, you allowed people to get used to it, people that need it here in Harlem,” said rider Irene Robinson. “And now you’re going to take it away? I mean what's the reason? Why are you taking it away?”

What You Need To Know

  • There will be no extension of the five free bus routes that began in September or an expansion to 15 routes, but there will be funds for increased service on some local and express buses ahead of congestion pricing

  • Changes to toll evasion laws will raise fines and give MTA more teeth in cracking down on those who intentionally obscure or deface their plates

  • While there was no Fair Fares low-income discount expansion to the railroads, more equitable penalties will be enacted for first-time fare evaders or those who pay their fines on time

“I’m for free bus fare,” said rider Odette Noble. “I think that it helps people.”

But, State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris said riders did get other wins, like expanded bus service.

“This year we were able to secure an additional almost $13 million, which will go towards increasing bus service on some of the more crowded routes,” Gianaris said. “And in a way that will increase the effectiveness of express bus routes.”

He felt it was important to provide more service ahead of congestion pricing. The MTA is also getting help in fighting toll evasion as the tolling plan is set to begin in June.

Among the new laws:

  • Up to a $500 fine for purposely covering up or defacing a license plate

  • Required surrender of devices that cover license plates upon conviction

  • 90-day registration revocation for repeat offenders

  • Banning the sale of ghost plates

As for trains and subways, there will be no expansion of the Fair Fares low-income discounted fare program to the commuter rails. This means there will be no discounted city ticket to ride the LIRR or Metro North within the city.

“It’s really disappointing that Fares Act didn’t make it through,” Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, said. “That just means so much to so many people. So, that would mean a city ticket weekly, where in New York City you could take Long Island Railroad or Metro North and get a weekly ticket, put a transfer to subways or buses all combined.”

But some provisions provide more equity when it comes to fare evasion. Those include:

  • Requiring police to give written warnings for first-time offenders

  • Dismissal of penalties if someone enrolls in Fair Fares

  • Refunding 50% of the first fine if paid on time

  • The authority to enforce fare evasion on the commuter rails in the same way as the subways

The budget provides $52 million toward the engineering and design of the Interborough Express, the light rail line proposed between Queens and Brooklyn, as well as another $16 million for the planning of Second Avenue subway expansion. Federal funding for Phase 2 was already secured, the local share contingent on congestion pricing.