Senator Sanders Introduces Long Island Rail Road Fare Act

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village) on February 12, 2016 introduced the Long Island Rail Road Fare Act (S6741), which provides that trips between Far Rockaway station and other locations in New York City are to be included in the Long Island Rail Road's weekend reduced fare program.

Currently, the Long Island Rail Road's CityTicket program offers $4.25 trips for single direction travel within New York City on weekends. However, trips to and from Far Rockaway are excluded from this program because the train passes through Nassau County. This legislation seeks to correct this problem, allowing passengers traveling to and from Far Rockaway to enjoy the reduced fare.

"It is unfair for residents of Far Rockaway and visitors from other parts of the city to be deprived of the reduced fare because their train happens to pass through Nassau," Sanders said. "This law will stimulate the local economy in an area where transportation options are severely limited."

If passed, the legislation will create economic growth in the Rockaways and other parts of the city, making weekend travel to and from beach communities more affordable.

Phil McManus, president of the Queens Public Transit Committee, said: "We will support it wholeheartedly. It's a no brainer. Why do they exclude Far Rockaway now? It's outrageous."