Seeking to one-up Zohran Mamdani, Cuomo unveils free NYC transit plan

Casting himself as the reality-based alternative to Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo said Thursday he would make subways and buses free for the poorest New Yorkers.

The policy — which he estimates will cost $140 million annually — amounted to a less ambitious version of Mamdani’s campaign platform of making buses free for all riders. In a twist, Cuomo described the Democratic mayoral candidate's free-bus plan as a giveaway for the rich.

“Why is government supposed to be subsidizing the rich?” Cuomo asked during a press conference in Midtown, where he delivered a PowerPoint presentation reminiscent of his daily briefings as governor during the pandemic.

Cuomo’s proposal is the latest in a series of ideas from mayoral candidates about improving the city’s transit system, a key concern for voters. Earlier this week, Mayor Eric Adams announced he'd move forward with a "busway" plan for 34th Street in Manhattan that would restrict most passenger vehicle traffic from the badly congested corridor. Mamdani had criticized Adams for slow-walking that plan. On Thursday, the assemblymember planned to race one of 34th Street's notoriously slow buses on foot at an event with transit advocates.

Cuomo’s plan builds on New York City’s Fair Fares program, which offers riders making below $22,600 a 50% discount. More than 360,000 people are enrolled, but experts say that represents only one-third of those who are eligible.

Cuomo’s new proposal would apply to roughly the same group of New Yorkers as Fair Fares.

After detailing his plan, Cuomo faced questions about a New York Times story that on Wednesday reported he recently spoke with President Donald Trump about the mayoral race. Trump, according to the Times, is weighing whether to get involved in the election.

On Thursday, Cuomo said he could not remember the last time he spoke with Trump. But acknowledged reaching out to Trump following an assassination attempt during last year’s presidential campaign.

“I don't believe I spoke with him. I believe I left a message for him,” Cuomo said.

Mamdani has seized on the Times’ report, accusing Cuomo of collaborating with Trump to undermine the will of voters who made the assemblymember the front-runner to take over City Hall.

Despite gains in last year's election, Trump remains politically radioactive among many city voters. According to an Emerson poll in May, more than 61% of voters surveyed said they had a “very unfavorable” view of Trump.

“This is disqualifying,” Mamdani told WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Thursday morning.

Cuomo argued that Trump would be more inclined to support Adams or Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. “I think I have the least to offer [Trump],” said Cuomo, who is running as an independent.

Cuomo’s promises to improve transit as mayor have faced skepticism from critics who say he mismanaged MTA funding as governor. “Cuomo had a bigger public purse when he last held office but totally ignored transit affordability except to demonize riders who couldn't pay the fare,” said Danny Pearlstein, of the transit advocacy group Riders Alliance. “If he actually believes what he's saying, why is he only proposing it now?”

Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Mamdani, scoffed at Cuomo’s latest transit plan.

“Trusting Andrew Cuomo to address New York’s affordability crisis is the equivalent of tasking an arsonist with putting out a fire — he created this crisis,” she said.

When asked about Fair Fares' relatively low enrollment, Cuomo said the city needs to better advertise the program. He also said a program offering free rides would resonate better than a 50% discount.

“The fact that it's free is actually going to generate more attention,” he said.