November 6, 2025
Free buses, paid takes
Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani's policies as 'normal'
Europe shrugs at Mamdani, comments erupt: “Not free here” vs “Let NYC try it”
TLDR: A headline claims Europe sees NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s free buses and universal childcare as normal, sparking a brawl: Europeans in the comments say it’s not that simple, while others push “let NYC try it locally.” Humor breaks out over “free transit, pay-to-pee,” highlighting a culture clash over costs and practicality.
Zohran Mamdani rode into NYC’s mayor’s office promising free buses, universal childcare, rent freezes, and even city-owned grocery stores — and a viral take says Europeans call that “normal.” The crowd? Not buying the fairytale. The top-voted vibe is: stop pretending Europe is a socialist Disneyland. Several self-identified Europeans pile in with “we still buy bus tickets” and “rent freezes flop,” while one bluntly declares, “I’m European and this is fake news.”
On the other side, pragmatic cheerleaders say: let New York fund it locally, prove it works, then scale. One commenter goes full policy dad, asking why no one talks about just building more homes. Meanwhile, the thread’s funniest detour: a user remembers paying €1 to pee at European train stations — and imagines absolute chaos if Port Authority tried it. Cue memes about “free buses, pay-to-pee.”
Fact-bringers chime in: Tallinn made transit free years ago, Luxembourg and Malta went nationwide, and Istanbul ran municipal groceries before it was cool. Stateside, Chicago and Atlanta are exploring city stores; New Mexico just rolled out free childcare. But the room stays split: true believers call this basic public service; skeptics warn costs, capacity, and rent freezes could bite. Europe calls it Tuesday; the comments call it a street fight
Key Points
- •Zohran Mamdani’s New York City campaign proposed free bus service, universal childcare, rent freezes, and city-run grocery stores.
- •European commentator Alexander Verbeek argues these policies are commonplace in Europe, funded by higher taxes and focused on service improvement.
- •Tallinn’s fare-free public transport, funded by a resident tax, led to a 14% ridership increase and improved mobility for low-income residents after nearly a year.
- •Municipal-run grocery stores have precedents, including Istanbul’s model for low-income households and U.S. efforts in Chicago (considering) and Atlanta and St Paul, Kansas (launched).
- •Universal childcare precedents include New Mexico’s statewide program and Portugal’s government beginning to introduce free childcare.