NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The MTA plans to offer a 10% discount on monthly tickets for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North trips within New York City's five boroughs starting July 1, following the start of Manhattan's congestion pricing program.
The MTA board will consider a proposal on Tuesday for a 12-month pilot program offering fare discounts, intended to encourage drivers to switch to transit and avoid tolls, which will be reviewed by the MTA’s finance committee on Monday. If approved, the program could become permanent based on its effectiveness over the year.
The new fare discounts for the LIRR and Metro-North would save passengers between $14 and $22, depending on their travel zones, according to the MTA’s staff summary.
The cost of a monthly LIRR pass from Jamaica, Queens to Penn Station would be reduced from $220 to $198. Similarly, the price for a monthly Metro-North pass between Grand Central Terminal and the northern Bronx would decrease from $199.75 to $180, according to the summary.
“The funding from OBTA will provide for an additional ten percent discount on monthly fares for customers taking LIRR and MNR trips within New York City,” read the staff summary. It also recommended that the MTA Board “approve this fare promotion.”
Last year, the MTA increased fares on commuter railroads by about 4%. With the introduction of a $15 congestion pricing fee during daytime for entering Manhattan below 60th Street, MTA officials anticipate more commuters will switch from cars to mass transit.
The cost of the new discount to the MTA is currently unclear.
Last Friday, the MTA announced congestion pricing will begin on Sunday, June 30. With the introduction the $15 fee to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during the daytime, MTA officials anticipate more commuters will switch from cars to mass transit.