What's happening
The bill requires commuter rail fares within New York City to match subway and bus MetroCard prices and permits free transfers.
Why it matters
Makes commuter rail much more affordable for NYC residents. , potentially saving riders significant money compared to current higher LIRR and Metro-North fares for short in-city trips.
Encourages use of commuter rail lines for local travel within NYC. , which could help reduce crowding on subways and buses and better utilize existing rail capacity.
Allows seamless transfers between commuter rail, subways, and buses at no additional cost. , making the city’s overall transit system more integrated and convenient, especially for neighborhoods underserved by subways.
Could have financial and operational impacts on the MTA. , requiring the agency to address revenue loss from lower fares and increased ridership, while also potentially reshaping transit equity across city neighborhoods.
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Who cares
Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North riders traveling within New York City
They would pay the same fare as a MetroCard ride on city subways and buses.
Riders connecting between commuter rail and city subways or buses
They would receive free transfers between those services for trips within New York City.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
It would have to provide the fare parity and free transfers regardless of conflicting laws or contract terms.
New York City Transit, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North
The MTA would have to consult with them on the required fare and transfer changes.
Headline styles
Equal Train and Subway Fares
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Lower Train Fares for NYC
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Alicia Hyndman
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1015
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to special powers of the authority
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1266 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 19 to read as follows:
19. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or the terms of any contract, the authority, in consultation with the New York city transit authority, the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company, shall allow riders travelling within the limits of the city of New York to pay a fare for commuter rail service equal to that of a MetroCard ride on New York city transit subways and buses and for such riders to make free transfers between said commuter rail and New York city transit subways and buses.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02903-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to special powers of the authority
Purpose
Will allow riders travelling within city limits to pay a fare for commu- ter rails equal to that of NYC Transit subways and buses, and to provide a free transfer in the same manner.
Summary of provisions
Amends section 1266 of the public authorities law by adding a new subdi- vision to accomplish the above stated purpose.
Justification
This bill would equalize the fare for commuter rail stops within the five boroughs to that of NYC Transit subways and busses. This would remove the financial barrier hindering thousands of New York City resi- dents from using the commuter rail system. The average New Yorker spends 6 hours and 20 minutes in transit per week. However, those who reside in a two fare zone average 15 hours a week in transit from the city's main business districts, an extreme commute as classified by the Census Bureau.
This legislation would increase access to 40 Long Island Rail Road and MetroNorth stations in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens; and a free transfer would promote connectivity within the MTA system. Equal- izing the fare would reduce commute times to top business districts by up to 7 and half hours a week.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.7523/A.9818 / Referred to Transportation/Corporations. 2017-18: S.2150/A.10007 / Referred to Transportation/Corporations.
Fiscal implications
$70 million
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.