Next time people get on an M-116 bus, they’ll have to either tap or swipe their Metro Card.

State lawmakers decided not to renew a pilot program waiving fares for riders.

“I enjoyed it. It saved me change,” rider Larry Johnson said.

“’I’ll miss the free ride. I mean, who won’t?” rider William McFadden said.

Riders will also miss the free fares on other buses part of the program, including the BX-18-A and B in The Bronx; the B-60 in Brooklyn; the Q-4 in Queens and the S-46 and 96 on Staten Island.

Some would’ve preferred the program expand rather than end.

“This program has benefitted a lot of people, and the free one is definitely a must,” rider Theodore Williams Jr. said.

For the nine months the program ran, it cost the MTA $12 million. Officials said the program was not effective enough to justify the price tag.

“I would like to see it start for more buses and go every place because a lot of people are going to ride for free anyway,” rider Sharon Speller said.

Despite the program being over, one M-116 bus driver said it didn’t change anything for some riders — some were still getting on without paying.

The Transit Workers Union supported the waived fare program because leadership said it reduced the likelihood of altercations between drivers and passengers.

Fare evasion is a constant battle for the MTA. In 2022 alone, the MTA said it lost $350 million due to people skipping out on their fare on buses.

While the free rides may be gone, more people are eligible for the fair fares program, which gives qualifying riders 50% off subway and bus fares.