Albuquerque Remains Committed to Free Transit

Almost two years ago, Albuquerque eliminated fares on its public bus system. In a piece for Next City, Erin Rode outlines some of the impacts the free fare program has had on the city’s residents.

According to Rode, “Nearly 90% of Albuquerque’s bus riders have household incomes of less than $35,000 per year, and a similar percentage don’t have access to a vehicle.” City officials cite this as one reason why making transit affordable and accessible is “the first purpose of public transit.” Free fares allow people, particularly those who are unhoused, to get to medical appointments, access social services, go to work, and see family.“For other Albuquerque residents, free public transit serves as a lifeline, a vital mobility option when money is tight or other transportation falls through.”

Making transit free citywide also reduces the strain on nonprofit social service providers, some of whom spent their own resources providing bus passes for their clients.

Since Albuquerque first piloted free transit in 2022, ridership is up 20 percent. Previously, fare revenue only brought in roughly $3 million per year to an agency with a $67 million budget. Unlike other cities, which have rolled back Covid-era zero-fare programs, Albuquerque appears committed to keeping transit free.