LIRR Continues Discounted Fare Pilot for 20-Trip Tickets and Monthly Tickets
MTA Away Offers Discounted Beach Packages and Escorted Tours
LIRR Set Pandemic-Era Ridership Record on June 28
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MTA Long Island Rail Road Interim President and Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi was joined by Senator Todd Kaminsky, Long Beach City Manager Donna M. Gayden, tourism officials and lifeguards on the Long Beach Boardwalk to announce the continuation of the railroad’s fare promotions and highlight the LIRR’s summer packages and escorted tours.
"Summer is here, and the LIRR is the best way to explore everything Long Island has to offer,” said LIRR Interim President and Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “Relax and skip the traffic while we get you to the beach, park, winery, or brewery. Between our increased service and discounted fares, we’re ready to serve communities across New York.”
“There’s no easier or more affordable way to get to the beach than the LIRR,” said Long Beach City Manager Donna M. Gayden. “The LIRR lets out in the heart of downtown Long Beach and just steps from the beach. We invite everyone to take advantage of these discounted packages and avail themselves of all Long Beach has to offer.”
“The city of Long Beach welcomes all commuters and New Yorkers back with the goal of reaching pre-pandemic levels at our shores,” said Long Beach Parks and Recreation Commissioner Joseph Brand. “It’s no secret the railroad is the easiest and most economical way to visit Long Beach this summer.”
“The train to the beach is a great service that gives beachgoers an opportunity to visit Jones Beach on a relaxed and stress-free trip,” said George Gorman Jr., Regional Director for New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
“I want to thank the Long Island Rail Road for being such incredible partners and offering deals and increased service to bring visitors from around the globe to our region,” said V.P. of Communications & Partner Relations for Discover LI Justine DiGiglio. “We’re all hoping 2022 is a record-breaking tourism year for Long Island.”
Since the MTA’s pilot fare program began on February 25, the LIRR has sold 62,598 20-trip tickets. The MTA announced it is continuing its more affordable ticketing options for Long Island Rail Road customers including:
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A 20-trip ticket will offer 20% off comparable 20 peak one-way fares when purchased through MTA eTix, or at a ticket window. These tickets are valid for 60 days.
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Monthly tickets, which are currently discounted between 48% and 61% of the price of a comparable number of one-way peak tickets, will be discounted by an additional 10%.
The railroad provides additional service to Long Beach, Freeport, Montauk and Greenport. On weekends, Long Beach has one additional eastbound and one additional westbound train. There are also three additional eastbound and two additional westbound trains for travel to and from Freeport Station, the closest station to Jones Beach. On Fridays, the “Cannonball” Hamptons Express train will depart from Penn Station at 4:06 p.m. In addition, there are other Friday afternoon extra trains to the Hamptons and Montauk, and additional Sunday westbound departures back from Montauk and the Hamptons. More information can be found here.
The LIRR set a pandemic-era ridership record on Tuesday, June 28. The LIRR carried 199,956 riders (69% of pre-pandemic weekday ridership), surpassing the previous pandemic-era record of 192,593 set on June 15.
MTA Away, along with partners like Discover Long Island, is offering discounted LIRR beach packages and summer/fall escorted tours to many popular Long Island attractions, including the Montauk Lighthouse, wine country, breweries, cruises and mansions, generating incremental ridership while supporting the Long Island economy and local businesses. Visit mtaaway.com for details.
Tickets for the LIRR’s summer packages and escorted tours can be purchased at Gray, Green or Blue Ticket Machines and ticket windows at LIRR stations. Select "MTA Away Deals," then "Long Island Deals," then the tour or package. Multiple tickets/vouchers will print.
Discounted Beach Packages
Long Beach
The Long Beach station is a short walk to the boardwalk and many local eateries.
The package includes discounted train tickets to/from Long Beach station, admission to the beach and a City of Long Beach trolley voucher. The package is valid daily through September 5, 2022.
Fire Island Beaches
The Robert Moses package includes discounted train tickets to/from Babylon station and Suffolk County Transit bus tickets to/from the beach. The package is valid through September 5, 2022.
The Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines and Sailor’s Haven packages include discounted train tickets to/from Sayville station, round trip taxi vouchers, and round trip Sayville Ferry vouchers. The packages are valid through September 5, 2022.
The Ocean Beach, Ocean Bay Park and Kismet/Fire Island Lighthouse packages include discounted train tickets to/from Bay Shore station, round trip taxi vouchers, round trip Fire Island Ferries ferry vouchers and admission to the Lighthouse. The package is valid through September 5, 2022.
The Davis Park package includes discounted train tickets to/from Patchogue station, round trip taxi vouchers, and round trip Davis Park Ferry vouchers. The package is valid through September 5, 2022.
The Watch Hill package includes discounted train tickets to/from Patchogue station, and round trip Davis Park Ferry ferry vouchers. Please note: the ferry to Watch Hill is located a short walk from the west end of Patchogue station at 160 West Avenue. No taxi vouchers are included. The package is valid through September 5, 2022.
Jones Beach
The Jones Beach package includes discounted rail to and from Freeport station and bus transportation (NICE Bus) to the East or West Bathhouses or the Central Mall at Jones Beach. The package is valid through September 5, 2022.
More About Discover Long Island
Discover Long Island is the region’s official destination marketing and leadership organization charged with furthering the destination’s thriving visitor economy, which saw record-breaking highs in 2019 generating $6.3 billion in visitor spending. The organization ensures Long Island’s coveted quality of life, thriving industries, and dynamic destination offerings are promoted on a global level, furthering economic development and spurring visitation to this world-class destination. For more information, please call 631-951-3900 or visit DiscoverLongIsland.com.