New Ticket Valid for Far Rockaway Riders Only; Will Be Sold Only at Far Rockaway Station and TrainTime App
Peak and Off-Peak Prices Same as Recently Expanded CityTicket, with Flat $7.00 Peak Fare and $5.00 Off-Peak Fare
Far Rockaway Ticket Debuts on Same Day Authority Expands CityTicket to Peak Trains
View Video of Today’s News Conference
View Photos from Today’s News Conference
With CityTicket, the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) discounted ticket for travel within Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan, set to expand during the week of Aug. 20 to peak hour trains for the first time since it was created 20 years ago, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that the LIRR will simultaneously launch its new Far Rockaway Ticket, which will have similar characteristics as CityTicket and will be available for purchase at Far Rockaway Station.
Owing to the unique geographic position of Far Rockaway, within the City of New York but by train which travels through Nassau County, the ticket is the first ticket ever created for users of a specific station. It was created specifically for Far Rockaway riders to mirror the pricing of the railroad’s discounted CityTicket available for travel only within Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, with peak tickets costing $7.00 and off-peak tickets $5.00.
The tickets will only be sold at the Far Rockaway station. Customers can buy them on the TrainTime app but must share their location with the app to confirm they are near the station. They will also be available at the station’s vending machines. Tickets are only valid on the day of purchase, but riders can take advantage of the discount on a same-day return trip by buying a round-trip ticket before leaving Far Rockaway.
“Far Rockaway riders were among the winners from Grand Central Madison, with 13% more daily LIRR train service. Now they get another big win, with a special discount ticket made just for them,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “This has been a long time coming – and it's made possible by some high-tech engineering by the MTA staff. But it wouldn't have happened without the passion of our elected partners and transit advocates. Their advocacy had a huge impact.”
“Over the last few months, the LIRR has made it more affordable for our customers to travel within New York City, and we are thrilled that our Far Rockaway customers will now be able to travel on LIRR for only $7.00 during peak hours,” said Metro-North Railroad President and LIRR Interim President Catherine Rinaldi. “And this September, we will be adding direct service for Far Rockaway customers to Atlantic Terminal, as we continue to improve service for our customers in Southeast Queens.”
“I could not be more thrilled for Far Rockaway residents who will be able to have a faster commute at the price of other city stations,” said MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “The unveiling of this ticket is the latest example of the MTA actively listening to community concerns and addressing them accordingly, while also continuing our focus on transit equity to Queens residents and beyond.”
“One of the first things I talked to Janno Lieber about and to the MTA was about getting equity for Far Rockaway,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “We now have the highest level of collaboration, the highest level of conversation, and highest level of determination to make corrections to the system. I'm proud to continue to work with my colleagues in government that continue to make sure that we have more improvements to the MTA system so that we can have transit equity for Queens and that the entire system can be even more customer friendly, so that we can have more people riding transit, and less people in cars.”
“The new CityTicket is welcome news for residents of Southeast Queens,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. “The new ticket will make transportation more affordable for everyone at a time when many are trying to make ends meet. After fighting for equity for CityTicket for a long time, I am very glad we have finally achieved our goal.”
“I am pleased to announce the LIRR is expanding this discounted off-peak program to include the Far Rockaway LIRR Station,” said Assembly Member Khaleel M. Anderson. “This successful adaptation of Senator James Sanders’ (S04719) and my bill (A02055) will empower commuters and promote economic growth in Far Rockaway where transportation options are scarce. I look forward to continuing to address long-standing inequities in public transit for the Rockaways, Assembly District 31, and the rest of Southeast Queens.”
“As Dr. Seuss said, ‘oh, the places you’ll go’- and when you leave from Far Rockaway station it will now cost $5 on the LIRR," said Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato. "After years of advocating, Far Rockaway and the entire Peninsula are being recognized just as every other neighborhood in the City. All that’s left to do now is shout all aboard."
“I celebrate the expansion of CityTicket to Far Rockaway,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “For far too long, Rockaway residents were deprived equitable access to the discounted LIRR ticket available to all other New Yorkers for trips within the city. I thank the MTA for their work to extend CityTicket access to Far Rockaway, and I look forward to working with both the MTA and the community to build upon and improve this program.”
“Expanding equitable access to affordable and reliable public transportation is critical for all New Yorkers to fulfill their daily obligations,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The new Far Rockaway Ticket is a welcomed expansion that will open doors of opportunity, shorten commute times, and help local residents travel within New York City. We will continue to advocate for transit equity in all five boroughs and ensure all New Yorkers can move around our city efficiently.”
“Today’s unveiling of the Far Rockaway Ticket is a great step in the right direction toward making public transit more affordable for all New Yorkers,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Our city is the city of opportunity in every sense of the word — but its opportunities are made possible only if our residents can afford the transportation they need to get to them. The introduction of the Far Rockaway Ticket is fundamental fairness at work, and is a sign we understand that all city residents should be treated equitably, without regard to ZIP Code or socioeconomic status.”
“Years in the making, Far Rockaway riders have reason to cheer now that they too can benefit from faster commutes and lower LIRR fares,” said Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) Executive Director Lisa Daglian. “The new 24/7 CityTicket is a major step forward, and we’re thrilled that these same discounts will be extended to Far Rockaway riders— we thank the MTA for including this historic expansion in the most recent round of fare changes. The start of the Far Rockaway Ticket will help riders benefit from the commuter rail that runs through their neighborhoods at a less prohibitive cost. Thank you to Senator Comrie, Councilmember Brooks-Powers, Senator Sanders, Assemblymember Anderson, Assemblymember Pheffer Amato, Borough President Richards, and all of the elected officials who supported expanding CityTicket to Far Rockaway.”
The Far Rockaway Ticket debuts at the same time the MTA is expanding CityTicket to peak trains. Now, customers at any LIRR or Metro-North Railroad station within New York City can use CityTicket at any time and any day of the week.
Grand Central Madison became the new primary western terminal for Far Rockaway Branch service when the terminal opened for full service on Feb. 27. Under the Grand Central Madison schedules, the Far Rockaway Branch received three additional peak trains in the morning and afternoon. In the LIRR’s next schedule update on Sept. 5, some morning peak trains will once again run to Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn.