The LIRR’s 200,000 passengers a day will see ticket prices increase from Sunday, prompting growing calls for the railroad to reconsider ending its popular ticket discount program.
The latest fare increase from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, approved last month, will increase fares on the Long Island Railroad, Metro-North, subways and New York City buses. Because Metrocards are accepted, the Nassau County transit system, known as NICE Bus, has also increased fares to match MTA fares.
The MTA is aiming for a 4% increase in fare revenue, but actual increases will vary by mode of transport and ticket type. Bus or subway fares will drop from $2.75 to $2.90, the first increase in “base fares” in eight years.
LIRR offers a 4.6% increase in one-way tickets during off-peak hours. Weekly and monthly tickets increase by 4.3% on average. New monthly ticket prices will apply in September.
The MTA’s bridge and tunnel toll increases went into effect earlier this month, raising prices by about 6% for E-ZPass customers and about 10% for other drivers.
MTA officials said the increase, which would generate an additional $305 million in annual revenue, was modest and needed to meet rising transportation costs. However, with the elimination of the 20-ride ticket, a fare discount program user will pay about 30% more for his 20 trips during peak hours.
MTA Chairman and CEO Jano Lieber on Tuesday defended the decision to scrap the fare discount program. Speaking at a Far Rockaway press conference, Lieber said the overall fare increase is part of a broader state budget deal that brings an additional $1 billion in government assistance to the MTA.
“We’re prioritizing the majority of our Long Island Railroad passengers. They buy monthly tickets and take advantage of this more traditional fare product,” Lieber said last year. ‘s 10% price cut will make monthly LIRR tickets cheaper than usual. “I had to give something away, and it was these 20 tickets of him, but there was actually a much smaller user group compared to the monthly tickets.”
LIRR honors 20 travel tickets valid for 60 days until expiration. This means that customers who purchase tickets by Sunday will still be able to use them until October. While he still has 19 rides left on his 20-ride ticket now, Merrick commuter Peter Roth said he wanted another ticket before sales closed on Sunday. Say it makes no sense to buy . Because you probably won’t have time to use it.
Ross said he understands the need for regular, small increases, but thinks the removal of the 20-ride ticket is going too far.
“I get it. They need money. Everyone does. But don’t take the product away. Raise the price of the product,” said Ross, 54, who works at an investment bank. Ta. “It’s really painful, because I would buy it.” [20-Trip Ticket] eternally. I’d be happy to pay a little more. But simply picking it up and forcing a monthly subscription is not a service for many. ”
The move also drew the ire of elected officials in both Republicans and Democrats. In a letter to LIRR officials earlier this month, Senator Kevin Thomas (D-Levittown) said the removal of the 20-ride ticket, created last year to accommodate part-time commuters, was “particularly concerning. It should be done and it is harmful to society.” 14,000 passengers participate in profitable programs every month. Mr Thomas urged the railroad to reconsider its decision.
Senator Jack Martins (Republican, Mineola) declared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that the MTA will “stick again to the Long Islander” by abolishing 20 ride tickets. .
with Robert Brodsky