Commuters on Long Island faced significant delays on Sunday as new MTA fare increases went into effect. These hikes impacted everything from the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Nassau County buses, municipal subways, and EZ Pass tolls.
Specifically, LIRR ticket prices increased between 4.5% and 8%, and regular Nassau Intercounty Express Bus fares now cost $3, a rise of 10 cents.
In New York City, there have been changes like the elimination of round-trip and ten-ride tickets, along with the introduction of a new one-day pass providing unlimited rides until 4 a.m. the next day. Bus and subway fares also saw a 10-cent hike.
And if someone thinks they can dodge these increases by driving instead, they’re mistaken. MTA tolls for bridges and tunnels have also increased by 7.5%, adding even more to the costs faced by drivers in addition to Manhattan’s congestion fee.
Baxter Williams, a Long Island resident who regularly commutes by LIRR from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station, expressed his frustration. “This is the worst,” he said, noting that his monthly ticket costs close to $400.
The price of LIRR monthly and weekly passes will rise by $7 to $21 depending on the station, with one-way tickets experiencing an 8% jump.
Williams lamented, “It’s like paying for a second car. Instead of addressing real issues, they’re just making it harder for us.”
Among the new changes, MetroCards will be phased out in favor of One Metro New York’s (OMNY) digital wallet system, which will limit weekly and monthly unlimited passes for Nassau NICE bus riders.
The MTA has introduced a fare cap system allowing riders to cover up to 12 rides in a week, after which additional rides are free so that no one spends more than $35 weekly.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is also running for governor as a Republican, assigned much of the blame for these fare increases to Governor Kathy Hochul. “Enough of Kathy Hochul’s empty promises about affordability,” he said. He criticized the congestion pricing initiative, suggesting that despite the revenue it generates, fares for commuters are still rising.
MTA maintains that these changes are crucial for providing safe and reliable service, arguing that fare hikes are in line with inflation. MTA CEO Janno Lieber pointed out that fare evasion issues are also a contributing factor to the need for these increases.
Blakeman stated he would work to address fare evasion if elected.
Officials from the MTA highlighted that the new LIRR monthly ticket prices remain lower than they were in 2019, following a fare reduction aimed at boosting ridership during the pandemic.
Interestingly, a few passengers might benefit from the new fare structures, which now include more discounts and programs. For the first time, discounted fares for seniors and individuals with disabilities are available during peak hours, and the family fare program allows children up to 17 years old to ride for just $1 with a ticketed adult, an expansion from the previous limit of 11 years old.
The LIRR is also introducing initiatives designed to help frequent travelers save money, including offering the 11th ride free after completing 10 trips within a 14-day period.
