MTA approves discounted fares on LIRR and Metro-North trips in NYC
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — The MTA will offer discounted fares on Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad trips in New York City soon after the agency’s congestion pricing plan starts this summer.
The MTA board approved a pilot program that offers a 10% cut on Metro-North and LIRR rail fares for monthly tickets in a vote Tuesday, hoping to draw drivers away from their cars. However, the discounted monthly tickets will only apply to riders traveling within the city’s five boroughs.
The agency’s outer-borough transportation account is expected to offset the projected $4 million in lost revenue from rail fare discounts.
The new discounted fares will go into effect on July 1, and the new monthly tickets will be available for purchase starting June 25.
The agency approved a program to add express bus service on six routes on the same day congestion pricing begins. They will cover peak service on the BM2, BM5, SIM1C, SIM4C, SIM23 and SIM24.
“Building on the best subway service in decades and historic on-time performance on Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, now the MTA is taking another big step by increasing frequency on express buses and expanding commuter rail affordability,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “These are the kinds of investments outer borough commuters want to see, and the State Legislature understands that – as proven by this year’s budget.”
The MTA announced that congestion pricing will begin on June 30. Drivers must pay a $15 toll during peak hours to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street.
Charline Charles is a digital journalist from Brooklyn who has covered local news along with culture and arts in the New York City area since 2019. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
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