NEW YORK – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board Tuesday approved pilot programs to make transit in the City of New York a more attractive option as congestion pricing begins in June.
The board approved a 10 percent reduction on the price of monthly commuter rail tickets within the Big Apple.
What the board didn’t do is offer discounts to all Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road riders resulting in a $15 per day charge under the congestion pricing plan for Hudson Valley commuters driving into the Manhattan Central Business District.
That was blasted by Hudson Valley Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) and Mike Lawler (R, NY-17), who said the MTA “Forced through an unfair, uninformed, and unacceptable congesting pricing plan, ignoring the voices of countless Hudson Valley firefighters, police officers, union members, teachers and other hard-working families.”
In a letter to MTA CEO Janno Lieber, the lawmakers said it is “unconscionable that you would not make all Metro-North and LIRR riders eligible for these discount rates.”
The told Lieber to “Do the job you were appointed to do and serve our entire community, not just New York City residents.”
