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.

Nicole Gelinas, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and 2025 Gotham Prize winner, joins Author’s Corner to discuss Movement, her latest book chronicling New York City’s century-long battle to reclaim its streets from car dominance. In this candid conversation, she reflects on what NYC’s transit history teaches us about the complexity—and urgency—of enacting meaningful urban change.

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.