NYC CityTicket Saves Commuters $100 Million
MTA's expanded CityTicket program saves commuters $100M since 2022 with $5-7 fares
MTA CityTicket Saves Riders $100 Million
New York City commuters have saved more than $100 million through the MTA's expanded CityTicket program since March 2022, transit officials announced Monday. The program lets riders travel on Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North within the five boroughs for $7 during peak hours and $5 off-peak. Governor Kathy Hochul called the expansion "a huge affordability win for New Yorkers."
Program Expansion Brings Weekday Access
The CityTicket program originally launched in 2004 but was limited to weekend travel only, according to the MTA. The March 2022 expansion extended the discounted fares to all days and times, including weekday peak and off-peak hours. This change made commuter rail travel within NYC more affordable for daily commuters, not just weekend travelers. The expansion represents a major policy shift aimed at improving transit affordability during a period of rising costs.
Significant Discount Over Standard Fares
CityTicket fares offer substantial savings compared to regular LIRR and Metro-North tickets within the city. Standard fares for the same trips range from $10.75 to more than $15 depending on zones, according to the MTA's fare schedule. The $7 peak and $5 off-peak CityTicket prices represent discounts of up to 50% or more. The MTA hasn't released specific ridership figures showing how many trips riders have taken using CityTicket since the expansion.
Savings Accumulate Over Three Years
The $100 million in total savings has accumulated over approximately three years since the program's expansion in March 2022. Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO, oversees the program as part of the authority's broader affordability initiatives. The MTA hasn't disclosed how the discounted fares affect overall agency revenue or whether ridership increases have offset the lower per-trip fares.
Riders Can Track Real-Time Service
The CityTicket program continues to provide financial relief to riders traveling between boroughs on commuter rail lines. Passengers can use the discounted fares on any LIRR or Metro-North trip that begins and ends within New York City's five boroughs. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for both LIRR and Metro-North routes throughout the metropolitan area.
