New York City MTA Bus Fares Return

After months of free bus ridership in New York City, by the end of August, the MTA will be resuming front door entries, and consequently collecting fare, the agency said Tuesday.

MTA buses have only been allowing back door access, and not charging riders since March 20 in part with preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

The agency is in a current $10 billion deficit due to the pandemic, and therefore, transit officials say they have no choice but to start charging again.

Interim Transit President Sarah Feinberg said, over the five months of free ridership, the MTA missed out on $159 million. Financial gurus say the corporation is losing $250 million a week.

“We are in a moment when every dollar counts, which is why we now find it as an appropriate time to resume fare collection,” Feinberg said.

The MTA started to install plastic curtains around bus operator seats to protect drivers as front door entry returns.