MTA approves increases to LIRR tickets, bridge and tunnel tolls

The MTA’s latest fare hike, approved Tuesday, will usher in some of the most drastic changes to LIRR ticket policy in decades, with longtime staples like round-trip tickets eliminated and ticket validity periods shrunk from weeks to just hours.

But even with Long Island Rail Road ticket prices rising, some riders will be paying less, as the fare changes come with expanded discounts for children, seniors, and passengers with disabilities.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board at its monthly meeting in Brooklyn on Tuesday voted 11-0 to approve rate increases on the LIRR, Metro-North, and New York City buses and subways, and tolls on its city bridges and tunnels. Two members, both New York City representatives, abstained.

The cost of LIRR tickets will climb by around 4.4%, with monthly tickets capped at $500. Hicksville riders will see one-way peak tickets climb from $14.50 to $15.25, and monthly tickets go from $287 to $299.75. From Ronkonkoma, a one-way peak ticket will rise from $20.50 to $21.50, and a monthly pass will go from $378 to $394.50.

Tolls on MTA bridges and tunnels will also increase by 7.5%.

The new fares and tolls take effect on Jan. 4.

The rate hike comes with several other changes to LIRR fare policy. One-way tickets, currently valid for 60 days, will expire at 4 a.m. on the day after they are purchased.

The LIRR is getting rid of round-trip tickets, which will be replaced by an unlimited-ride "Day Pass" that will cost 10% less than two peak trips.

Also going away is the LIRR’s 10-trip ticket, being replaced by a new policy of giving riders a free electronic ticket after the purchase of 10.

'Opportunistic fare evasion' targeted

MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said "there definitely will be some bumps in the road" as LIRR riders adapt to the new ticket policies, but he expected many of them would come to appreciate the flexibility that comes with the new ticket options.

Lieber noted riders could take three or four rides in the same day. "We think that there a lot of these changes that are going to be welcome," he said.

Lieber acknowledged that the changes in the LIRR ticket policies aim, in part, to address "opportunistic fare evasion — people who don't activate their tickets and wait until they see the conductor come through," with hopes of getting a free ride and saving their ticket for future use.

"Most of our railroad riders that we're hearing from are angry about that," Lieber said.

New York City bus and subway riders will also pay more, as the cost of a ride will climb to $3 from $2.90. For the first time, riders won't be able to pay their bus fare in cash.

A spokesman for Nassau County’s NICE Bus, which accepts MTA fares, confirmed that the agency will raise its rates to "mirror" those of the MTA.

Even those who don’t use public transportation will be hit by the rate increase. The E-ZPass toll for most vehicles would rise from the current $6.94 to $7.46 on most major crossings, including the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and Queens-Midtown Tunnel.

MTA officials defended the rate increase, which they said does not even keep up with inflation since they last raised fares in August 2023. "This fare increase is modest," said board member Neal Zuckerman, who pointed out that the 10 cent increase in the subway fare over two years works out to 1.7% a year. "That is not a hike. Seventeen percent would be a hike," he said.

Riders react

At Penn Station, many LIRR riders were predictably unhappy about the prospect of paying more. John Rahl, a New York City high school teacher from Patchogue waiting to go home via the Ronkonkoma branch, said the increase will hit his wallet harder than someone who lives closer to the city.

"That's unfair. They always do these percentages. Four percent is ridiculous, ’cause we're not getting 4% raises," said Rahl, who noted that the fare hike will hit him twice. "I've got to pay the raise in the subway as well."

Others met the approaching fare increase with resignation.

"What are you gonna do?" said Leanne Salvadore, 38, of Mineola. "There's nothing I can personally do to stop that."

Union carpenter Cornelius Hanrahan said that even with the higher fares, public transportation is "worth it," especially when compared with the cost of commuting by car.

"You put the tolls and the gas on it, you're still making out, I think, without a doubt," said Hanrahan, of Greenlawn. "I would love to pay less, but it's better to take the train."

Speaking at the meeting ahead of the vote, several city transit riders also decried the hike, which they said could be a breaking point for New Yorkers struggling with the soaring cost of living.

"People were already struggling at $2.90, $2.75 and $2.50," Brooklyn resident Daniel Koh, a member of the New York Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression, said about the new bus and subway fare.

Although some speakers criticized the MTA for disregarding their input, MTA board member Sammy Chu, of Plainview, pointed out that the MTA made "significant changes in response" to concerns raised by riders since the MTA rolled out its original fare increase plan in July.

"I know not everybody is happy," said Chu, who noted that the changes are part of a broader plan to provide "a better user experience" for fare-paying customers, including through the full rollout of OMNY. "I think it’s safe to say that this is kind of the end of the beginning."

Among other changes aimed at minimizing costs for riders: the LIRR’s Family Fare program will be expanded to allow children up to age 17 to ride for $1 with a paying adult. Currently, only children 11 and under get the discount. And reduced railroad fares for seniors and people with disabilities will, for the first time, be accepted during morning peak hours.

"These are common sense affordability policies that we’ve long advocated for," said Lisa Daglian, executive director of the MTA Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee, which includes the LIRR Commuter Council.

Some lawmakers criticized the rate increase, including State Sen. Steven Rhoads (R-Bellmore), who in a post on X accused the MTA of "once again ... balancing its books on the backs of hardworking commuters." U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) similarly said the MTA "should get its fiscal house in order instead of constantly shifting costs to riders."