New York City is finally getting some good news on its transit system. Commuter rail trips within the five boroughs are exploding, proving that cheaper fares actually get people off the subway and onto the trains. On Wednesday, the MTA verified that Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North ridership has almost returned to pre-pandemic figures, largely because locals are utilizing the expanded City Ticket.
This isn’t just a small bump; it’s a massive shift in how New Yorkers move. Ridership at city stations has surged an astonishing 180 percent compared to four years prior, following the MTA’s 2022 decision to extend the weekday City Ticket beyond weekend use. The data shows that these discount rides are working exactly as intended to fill empty seats and connect neighborhoods that were previously underserved.
Record Growth in the Boroughs
The numbers coming out of the MTA board meeting on Wednesday are staggering. Ridership at stations within New York City is outpacing growth at non-city stations, a trend that has exploded since the weekday expansion. LIRR President Rob Free noted that from 2022 to 2025, City Ticket sales grew a whopping 361 percent. Specific stations are seeing even wilder gains, with the Laurelton station in Queens up 478 percent and the Melrose station in the Bronx climbing 503 percent.
The agency revealed a fresh commuter rail market by tackling transit deserts and offering more affordable choices, a point she stressed. Locals are fueling this recovery, evidenced by the fact that City Tickets comprised 29 percent of all commuter railroad ticket sales this year alone.
Keeping Fares Affordable
The strategy relies on simple economics: lower prices bring more riders. The City Ticket, originally introduced in 2003 as a $4.50 weekend-only discount, now offers $5 off-peak and $7 peak fares for intracity travel. MTA leadership hasn’t promised to add subway transfers to the program, but they are keeping the door open for future discounts to maintain affordability.
“We will always consider them as part of our consideration of strategies to keep the system affordable,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber, according to Streetsblog NYC. This approach contrasts with other transit agencies that have raised fares while seeing ridership flatline. Here, the MTA is proving that when you make the train cheaper for city residents, they will use it.
More Options for Seniors
While the rail surge grabs the headlines, other efforts are helping specific groups get around too. Beginning November 2, New York University will initiate a free shuttle bus pilot for seniors, accommodating up to 50 older residents in specific areas of Brooklyn and Manhattan. City Council Member Harvey Epstein worked with the university to develop the initiative, noting that the buses are a natural fit for the community.
“This is another way to get free buses available to a lot of our seniors on fixed incomes,” Epstein said, according to amNewYork. The program runs on weekdays from 7 a.m. to midnight and requires a simple paper application. It’s a small step, but in a city where fixed incomes are stretched thin, having access to free transport for grocery runs or doctor visits makes a real difference.
The MTA also announced a Halloween-themed promotion starting Thursday through Saturday, where select stations will be temporarily renamed for trick-or-treaters. Shanifah Rieara explained the move, noting that families use the system for the Village Halloween Parade and other events.
This is opinion and commentary from the RapForMayor team.
