State legislators celebrate new LIRR discount program in state budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 3, 2024
Contact: Soojin Choi | press@johnliusenate.com | 347-556-6335

Bayside, NY - State Senator John Liu today joined with legislators and community leaders at the Bayside Long Island Rail Road Station to celebrate the addition of a new 10 percent discount on monthly LIRR tickets and Metro-North Railroad for trips within New York City. 

The pilot program is funded through the Outer Borough Transportation Account, which was created by the state legislature in 2018. The creation of the account was led by Senator Leroy Comrie and Assembly Member Ed Braunstein for public transit improvements outside Manhattan. The MTA estimates the cost of the 10 percent discount to monthly tickets will be $4 million per year. 

State Senator John Liu, Member of the Transportation Committee, stated, “Improving the affordability, frequency and reliability of our public transportation is the best way to get more New Yorkers out of their cars and into the trains and buses, to reduce traffic and pollution. The LIRR is essential for travel into Manhattan, especially for Queens residents whose options are extremely limited. The state legislature fought long and hard to secure these investments, and I’m proud to have worked alongside my colleagues making improvements to outer borough transportation a priority in the state budget.”

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky stated, “My Queens colleagues and I have been advocating for a discount for several years. Many residents in northern and eastern Queens do not have access to our subway system and by offering this break we will be providing them with another option for travel.”

State Senator Leroy Comrie stated, “Queens and other areas of New York have suffered from inadequate transit service for far too long, which is why my colleagues in the legislature and I have been fighting tooth and nail to secure funding for major improvements in the system. By boosting the frequency of express buses we're establishing faster and more reliable service from the outer boroughs into Manhattan; moreover, additional fare reductions on top of existing 10% discounts on commuter rails will make them an even more attractive and feasible option for hard-working New Yorkers. We look forward to the MTA doing even more in the near future to increase affordability, accessibility and utility of our public transit systems.”

Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris stated, “I am proud to have successfully advocated for the infusion of public transit funds we recently secured. These investments will improve mobility for those commuting and increase ease of access for people traveling across New York.”

State Assembly Member Ed Braunstein stated, “With limited transit in the area, many Northeast Queens residents rely on the Long Island Rail Road for their transportation needs. A new 10% monthly ticket fare reduction, which complements the new daily City Ticket, will put more money back into the pockets of Northeast Queens families. I have long advocated for fare reductions for LIRR riders and am pleased that the MTA has agreed to the 10% discount, which will soon take effect. I want to thank my colleagues in the New York State Senate and Assembly for working together to help get this accomplished and will continue to push the MTA to provide more affordable and reliable service.”

State Assembly Member Nily Rozic stated, “Access to reliable and affordable transit should be available to all, regardless of zip code. Through this new discount initiative, we're not just reducing fares; we're championing equitable transportation and prioritizing our commuters in the outer boroughs.”

State Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani stated, “Ensuring that more New Yorkers can afford to get on Metro-North and the LIRR is a crucial step towards getting congestion pricing right. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate for their leadership in the Legislature on delivering this program for riders,”