Here’s what happened when Albuquerque made riding the bus free

Sabina Wohlmuth, a formerly homeless person, used to walk miles across Albuquerque due to lack of cash for bus fare. However, since Albuquerque made zero-fare transit permanent in 2023, Wohlmuth can now take the bus daily to her job, store, and sober living facility without paying a dime. The city's transit department director, Leslie Keener, believes that zero-fare transit is a way to open up access and create mobility for low-income residents. Nearly 90% of Albuquerque's bus riders have household incomes of less than $35,000 per year and don't have access to a vehicle. The zero-fare program has been successful, with ridership increasing by 20% in three years. Many bus riders, including those experiencing homelessness, rely on the bus to get to medical appointments, social services, work, and to visit friends and family. The city's focus is now on expanding routes and increasing service frequency. The zero-fare program has also helped organizations like Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, which previously spent $50,000 per year on bus passes for clients.