New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has teamed up with a popular children’s YouTuber to push a bold policy agenda.

On Sunday, Mamdani collaborated with Rachel Griffin Accurso, known as Ms. Rachel, in a video to promote his plan for free buses in the city.

The video, the first from Ms. Rachel in two months, features her singing a familiar children’s bus song before Mamdani joins in to highlight his policy goals. Additionally, the mayor ties the discussion to his broader vision for expanding child care programs, the Washington Examiner reported.

Mamdani and Ms. Rachel's Unique Collaboration

The issue of free public transit has sparked considerable debate among New Yorkers. While some see it as a necessary step for affordability, others question the fiscal responsibility of such a move.

In the video, Ms. Rachel begins with a cheerful line, “The mayor on the bus says hello, friends,” setting a lighthearted tone. But let’s be honest—pairing a policy rollout with a kids’ song feels like a calculated attempt to soften the image of a progressive agenda. It’s clever marketing, though it risks trivializing serious budgetary concerns.

As the song continues, Mamdani interrupts Ms. Rachel’s verse about bus fares to stress that under his plan, rides will be free. When she playfully pushes back with, “That’s so wonderful! But this is my song and the kids like to do it,” it’s clear this is more about optics than substance. One has to wonder if catchy tunes can distract from the real question: how will this be funded?

Free Buses: A Promise with Challenges

Mamdani’s push for free buses isn’t new—he organized a yearlong pilot across five routes in all boroughs from September 2023 to September 2024. The pilot, which waived the $2.90 fare, reportedly led to a 30% increase in ridership, particularly among those earning under $28,000 annually. That’s a significant jump, but it also raises questions about sustainability without clear revenue alternatives.

The mayor has argued that eliminating fares could reduce conflicts over fare collection, a claim tied to safety concerns. While fewer disputes on buses sound appealing, critics might argue this sidesteps deeper issues of enforcement and public order. It’s a noble goal, but the devil is always in the details.

Mamdani’s own report from September notes that 1 in 5 New Yorkers finds the current fare unaffordable, with the average bus rider earning less than $30,000 a year. Those numbers paint a stark picture of economic struggle, and it’s hard to ignore the burden on low-income families. Still, waiving fares entirely could strain an already overstretched city budget.

Child Care Plans Enter the Conversation

In the same video, Mamdani pivots to child care, linking it to the bus song’s mention of babies. His plan aims to offer free care for 2-year-olds and enhance programs for children aged 3 and above. It’s an ambitious proposal, but one that could easily balloon costs without tight oversight.

State-level support comes from Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has pledged to expand universal pre-K for 4-year-olds by the 2028-2029 school year. She’s also committed $1.7 billion to fund the first two years of New York City’s “2-care” program, bringing total state investment in child care and pre-K to $4.5 billion by fiscal 2027. That’s a hefty sum, and taxpayers deserve clarity on how every dollar is spent.

Ms. Rachel, a city resident who often films at local sites, has been involved with Mamdani’s team since his inauguration earlier this year, even serving on his inaugural committee. Her last video before this was a collaboration with Sesame Street, showing her knack for high-profile partnerships. But does her platform risk turning policy into a feel-good spectacle?

Balancing Ideals with Practicality

The video’s charm can’t hide the uncertainty around when—or if—free buses will become a permanent reality. Mamdani’s campaign promise lacks a concrete timeline, leaving riders and taxpayers in limbo. That ambiguity is a sticking point for those wary of overpromising.

While Mamdani and Ms. Rachel aim to connect with families through this creative outreach, the underlying policies carry heavy financial implications. Child care expansion and free transit sound like wins for struggling New Yorkers, but they must be weighed against the city’s fiscal health. Throwing money at problems without a clear plan often creates bigger headaches down the line.

At the end of the day, affordability matters—especially for those scraping by on tight budgets. But so does accountability in how public funds are used. Mamdani’s vision has heart, but it needs a backbone of pragmatic planning to avoid becoming just another lofty idea.