As the cost of living continues to rise in New York City, transit advocates are rallying around a bold proposal: make buses free and faster. With 1 in 5 New Yorkers struggling to afford fares, fare-free buses could be a game-changer for working families. But can the city afford the $800 million price tag—and is it the right move for the future of public transit? UrbanSense joins the debate.

As cities emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, rethinking urban mobility is no longer optional — it's essential. From redesigning public transit for safety to forging smarter public-private partnerships, city leaders must embrace innovation and equity to ensure a more resilient, accessible, and sustainable future for all urban residents.