As anticipated, free rides will continue on GRTC for another year, without any additional subsidy from Richmond taxpayers.

GRTC’s planned budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 includes $1 million to match a state grant that is supporting a no-fare operation, officials said.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney ignored requests to include that $1 million in the city’s new budget after his staff, led by Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders, insisted that GRTC had more than enough money from federal grants to cover that cost.

City Hall accepted the $8 million grant from the state last year on the condition a local matching funds would be provided. Advocates for bus riders raised concern when the mayor’s budget plan did not increase the subsidy to cover the initial $1 million.

The debate over whether to keep fares free after June 30, 2023, will restart next year when the local match rises to $3 million. If free fares survive, the debate will resume in 2024 when the local match would be $5 million.

Mayor Stoney and Mr. Saunders have said they hope to work with Chesterfield and Henrico counties as well as GRTC to keep fares free at least through June 30, 2025.