M116 Bus Route in Harlem Continues to Be Free as Part of an MTA Pilot

The M116 bus route serving East Harlem, Central Harlem and the Upper West Side continues to be free as part of an MTA pilot.

Part of a program that includes one free bus route in each borough, the no-pay rides on the M116 began on September 24, 2023 and are expected to run for up to 12 months. (Update: the pilot has not been renewed and ended on August 31, 2024.)

The MTA program features routes that were chosen based on factors like ridership, fare evasion, equity for low-income communities, and access to employment and commercial activity, according to an announcement made by Governor Kathy Hochul last July.

The five free bus lines across the city include the Bx18 A/B, B60, M116, Q4 LCL/LTD, and S46/96.

Buses on the free lines are marked "fare-free"; they do not include transfers to other bus or subway lines.

The M116 bus route runs between W 106th Street/Broadway on the Upper West Side and E 120th Street/Pleasant Avenue in East Harlem.

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