NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — The MTA will offer discounted fares on Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad trips in New York City soon after the agency’s congestion pricing plan starts this summer.
The MTA board approved a 10% cut on Metro-North and LIRR rail fares for monthly tickets in a vote Tuesday, hoping to draw drivers away from their cars. However, the discounted monthly tickets will only apply to riders traveling within the city’s five boroughs.
The agency’s outer-borough transportation account is expected to offset the projected $4 million in lost revenue from rail fare discounts.
The new discounted fares will go into effect on July 1, and the new monthly tickets will be available for purchase starting June 25.
The agency is also planning to add express bus service on six routes running from areas of southeast Brooklyn and Staten Island into Lower Manhattan.
The MTA announced that congestion pricing will begin on June 30. Drivers must pay a $15 toll during peak hours to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street.
