State Senator Shelley B. Mayer Testimony on 2025 MTA Fare Proposal

August 19, 2025

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board 
2 Broadway
New York, NY 10004 

Members of the MTA Board: 

Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the MTA’s proposed fare increases. My name is Shelley Mayer and I have the honor of representing the 37th District in the State Senate, which includes communities served primarily by the Harlem and New Haven Metro-North lines in Westchester. Many of my constituents rely heavily on Metro-North service to commute to work, get to medical appointments, visit family, and take advantage of the culture and resources New York City has to offer. In addition, the communities I represent are dependent on reverse commuters for essential jobs in health care, finance, and higher education, among other industries. 

I am here today to urge the board to prioritize affordability for Metro-North and other transit riders and to reject the proposed rate increases, especially as our communities adjust to congestion pricing. Under the MTA’s current proposal, monthly and weekly tickets will increase 4.5% and all other ticket types will increase up to 8%. These are meaningful increases for riders who rely on Metro-North, and often pay both a Metro-North and subway or bus fare to reach their final destination. Moreover, these increases may have the additional effect of discouraging residents from riding the train despite the implementation of congestion pricing. 

I want to thank the board for your plans to introduce AM peak discounts for seniors, riders with disabilities, and Medicaid recipients as part of these fare changes. This is a common sense change which will give seniors and other eligible riders greater access to fare-relief. I hope the MTA will consider advancing several additional affordability programs proposed by the Permanent Citizen Advisory Committee. These include expanding family fares to 12-17-year-olds, allowing children in that age group to ride for a reduced fare when traveling with their family. Additionally, I urge the MTA to allow interoperability for day passes between Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road. The Grand Central Madison Station has provided new ease of access to JFK and Long Island for Westchester residents. The MTA should provide a fare structure that encourages Westchester residents to take advantage of that new access. 

Lastly, I request that the Board revisit their proposal to automatically activate one-way mobile Metro-North tickets at the time of purchase. Riders may have valid reasons for purchasing a one-way ticket that they do not immediately use. This policy change is unnecessary and unfair to riders who may wish to purchase tickets ahead of time, or simply change their mind about their travel plans after purchasing a ticket. Frankly, Metro-North customers will see this as a “rip off.” I strongly suggest you withdraw this proposal. 

Thank you for your consideration.  

Sincerely, 

Shelley B. Mayer
New York State Senator, District 37