Free bus rides are coming to an end.

Beginning Aug. 31, MTA bus fares will be back to normal, along with front door boarding.

Anyone riding an MTA bus over the last few months during the pandemic has been doing so through the back door - and for free. That move comes with a loss of about $431 million in revenue, marking this the most serious financial crisis in MTA history, according to officials.

"The fact is we don't operate a free service as much as we may want to, and we can't afford to miss out on these revenues at this moment," said Sarah Feinberg, interim president of New York City Transit.

Bus prices will stay the same, but passengers must continue to wear a mask and windows will be open. Bus operator barriers have been installed.

MTA officials say they are doing everything in their power to make public transportation as safe as possible.