BETHESDA, Md. — A Maryland County’s decision to make its buses free is already showing positive results with little of the downsides that critics cite as Mayor Mamdani seeks a similar plan for New York.
Montgomery County — a suburb of Washington, D.C. with more than one million residents — has had fare-free public buses since the end of June 2025, though the change was not purely a function of politics, but practicality. The county’s 385 RideOn buses — which carry 18 million trips per year — were slated for a $19-million farebox modernization. But post-pandemic fare collection is so sparse that it would take almost 12 years to pay back.
But whatever the motivation, the elimination of fares is working: There has been a slight increase in ridership, no increase in undomiciled people using the buses for shelter, and a minimal effect on the county budget…