Senator Phillips' Statement on Governor’s Call for LIRR Fare Cut During Penn Station Reconstruction Project

“Having sponsored legislation to allow the MTA to withhold Penn Station payments from Amtrak and cut LIRR fares, I am encouraged by Governor Cuomo’s call for reduced LIRR fares during the Penn Station reconstruction project.  As I’ve repeatedly said over the last seven weeks, this fare reduction should apply to all LIRR commuters, because they all will be affected by significant service disruptions during this time period.

Having spent many years taking the LIRR to Manhattan, I believe charging riders the same price for significantly reduced service is totally unfair.  If service is being cut, fares should be cut too. 

Cutting fares is another way the MTA can, and should, help Long Island commuters during the ‘summer of hell.’  They must act.”