Senator Phillips to MTA Board: Roll Back LIRR Fare Hike to Give Riders Penn Relief

Senator Elaine Phillips (R-Manhasset) is urging the MTA’s Board of Directors to roll back its recent 4% fare hike for all LIRR monthly commuters and provide additional fare relief to commuters who will be directly impacted by this summer's Penn Station reconstruction.

“LIRR customers shouldn’t have to pay more for reduced service,” Senator Phillips stated in a letter to the MTA Board.  “Fare reductions must be part of the MTA’s plan for the Penn Station rebuilding project.”

Amtrak’s Penn Station rehabilitation project will take three Penn Station tracks out of service, significantly disrupting service into and out of Penn Station.  Currently, the project is scheduled to run from July 10th until September 1st.  Estimates are that LIRR service could be reduced by as much as 20 percent.

The MTA raised LIRR fares earlier this year.

Senator Phillips is the sponsor of legislation that would authorize the MTA to withhold payments to Amtrak in order to fund fare reductions for LIRR commuters.  The Senate approved the legislation with broad bipartisan support on May 22nd.  NJ Transit has taken similar steps in order to compensate their riders who also have had to endure significant service disruptions because of conditions at Penn Station. 

A copy of Senator Phillips’ letter to the MTA Board can be viewed here.