The LIRR Today
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The latest news on commuting and travelling across Long Island. Opinions are the personal views of their author. Not an official LIRR account.
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Long Island pays its weight into the MTA. There is no value gap. www.thelirrtoday.com/2019/03/subu... We pay most of same taxes and fees into the MTA but get considerably less service.
These ideas sound nice in theory but have little to no grounding in reality. Summarily dismissed like the others.
These ideas sound nice in theory but have little to no grounding in reality. Summarily dismissed like the others.
MTA Value Gap: the suburbs are not draining the MTA
Whenever there are proposals for new revenue and funding for the MTA, such as the latest plan for congestion charging in New York City to s...
www.thelirrtoday.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:46 AM
Long Island pays its weight into the MTA. There is no value gap. www.thelirrtoday.com/2019/03/subu... We pay most of same taxes and fees into the MTA but get considerably less service.
These ideas sound nice in theory but have little to no grounding in reality. Summarily dismissed like the others.
These ideas sound nice in theory but have little to no grounding in reality. Summarily dismissed like the others.
Poke whatever fun you want, but ridership to/from Long Island stations is down 26% vs. 2019 because fares are much higher, the service is slower, and travel times are longer. You act like transit riders are completely captive and that couldn't be less true.
January 6, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Poke whatever fun you want, but ridership to/from Long Island stations is down 26% vs. 2019 because fares are much higher, the service is slower, and travel times are longer. You act like transit riders are completely captive and that couldn't be less true.
Any serious plan for fare integration MUST address the problem of high fares systemwide, extending the same discount/per mile rate to all zones. That's where it gets very expensive.
Any plan that does not address high fares in the suburbs is DOA.
Any plan that does not address high fares in the suburbs is DOA.
January 6, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Any serious plan for fare integration MUST address the problem of high fares systemwide, extending the same discount/per mile rate to all zones. That's where it gets very expensive.
Any plan that does not address high fares in the suburbs is DOA.
Any plan that does not address high fares in the suburbs is DOA.
That is the fatal flaw with all of these proposals. People think those who travel beyond the city line are just crybabies who don't have other travel options (drive/carpool/work from home/work from LI office) and won't mind Subway/bus crowding for the most expensive rail fares in North America.
January 6, 2026 at 3:03 AM
That is the fatal flaw with all of these proposals. People think those who travel beyond the city line are just crybabies who don't have other travel options (drive/carpool/work from home/work from LI office) and won't mind Subway/bus crowding for the most expensive rail fares in North America.
Subway riders are paying $3 a trip. If I'm paying $21.50 one-way, expecting a seat is not unreasonable. If I had to stand for the first half hour of every trip home, I'd certainly drive to Queens and park there.
January 6, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Subway riders are paying $3 a trip. If I'm paying $21.50 one-way, expecting a seat is not unreasonable. If I had to stand for the first half hour of every trip home, I'd certainly drive to Queens and park there.
People are not going to want to stand for the first half hour of their trip home, they will lose riders over it. And if there are too many standees, then they can't collect tickets.
January 6, 2026 at 2:33 AM
People are not going to want to stand for the first half hour of their trip home, they will lose riders over it. And if there are too many standees, then they can't collect tickets.
I can double check those numbers based on 2024 ridership, but fare integration has never been as simple as covering the fare difference. There isn't enough LIRR capacity to shift all of those trips without losing much higher-paying suburban riders.
January 6, 2026 at 1:17 AM
I can double check those numbers based on 2024 ridership, but fare integration has never been as simple as covering the fare difference. There isn't enough LIRR capacity to shift all of those trips without losing much higher-paying suburban riders.
That little dot links to a Bloomberg article that has the 6.3% number, which is the same as the Governor's announcement today. That matches what the Comptroller reports for all of NYC sales taxes, not Manhattan. I've yet to find a dataset that breaks out the NYC boroughs but I'll keep looking.
January 6, 2026 at 1:13 AM
That little dot links to a Bloomberg article that has the 6.3% number, which is the same as the Governor's announcement today. That matches what the Comptroller reports for all of NYC sales taxes, not Manhattan. I've yet to find a dataset that breaks out the NYC boroughs but I'll keep looking.
The 6.3% increase in sales tax revenue cited a few times is for the whole of NYC, not just Manhattan or the CBD.
While that is better than the statewide average (4.4%), there are other places where sales tax revenues have increased more without congestion pricing (e.g. Yates County, up 10.8%)
While that is better than the statewide average (4.4%), there are other places where sales tax revenues have increased more without congestion pricing (e.g. Yates County, up 10.8%)
January 6, 2026 at 1:07 AM
The 6.3% increase in sales tax revenue cited a few times is for the whole of NYC, not just Manhattan or the CBD.
While that is better than the statewide average (4.4%), there are other places where sales tax revenues have increased more without congestion pricing (e.g. Yates County, up 10.8%)
While that is better than the statewide average (4.4%), there are other places where sales tax revenues have increased more without congestion pricing (e.g. Yates County, up 10.8%)
Indeed. And plenty of taxes just drain from the people without generating a commensurate amount of economic activity.
January 6, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Indeed. And plenty of taxes just drain from the people without generating a commensurate amount of economic activity.
The $500m or whatever paid in CRZ tolls isn't free money. It means there's $500m not being spent on other things—$500m less being spent in restaurants, stores, being invested into retirement/debt paydown/mkt
The real test is not whether CBDT is generating more NEW economic activity than it takes in
The real test is not whether CBDT is generating more NEW economic activity than it takes in
January 6, 2026 at 12:47 AM
The $500m or whatever paid in CRZ tolls isn't free money. It means there's $500m not being spent on other things—$500m less being spent in restaurants, stores, being invested into retirement/debt paydown/mkt
The real test is not whether CBDT is generating more NEW economic activity than it takes in
The real test is not whether CBDT is generating more NEW economic activity than it takes in
Yup.
From my own personal discretionary trips to the CBD over the last year, I would say:
—30% I drove anyways and paid the toll
—30% I drove to LIC and got on the Subway
—40% of trips I just abandoned and went elsewhere (some Bk/Qn most LI)
A decent tell would be sales tax bsky.app/profile/stur...
From my own personal discretionary trips to the CBD over the last year, I would say:
—30% I drove anyways and paid the toll
—30% I drove to LIC and got on the Subway
—40% of trips I just abandoned and went elsewhere (some Bk/Qn most LI)
A decent tell would be sales tax bsky.app/profile/stur...
Yeah, if the trips didn't shift to mass transit either:
A bunch of economic activity has been abandoned.
People were willingly driving around downtown for no good reason.
A bunch of economic activity has been abandoned.
People were willingly driving around downtown for no good reason.
January 6, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Yup.
From my own personal discretionary trips to the CBD over the last year, I would say:
—30% I drove anyways and paid the toll
—30% I drove to LIC and got on the Subway
—40% of trips I just abandoned and went elsewhere (some Bk/Qn most LI)
A decent tell would be sales tax bsky.app/profile/stur...
From my own personal discretionary trips to the CBD over the last year, I would say:
—30% I drove anyways and paid the toll
—30% I drove to LIC and got on the Subway
—40% of trips I just abandoned and went elsewhere (some Bk/Qn most LI)
A decent tell would be sales tax bsky.app/profile/stur...
Has there been an updated version of the hub-bound report, or something that tallies ALL entries to the CBD?
Are these trips actually shifting to mass transit, or are they simply not taking place?
How do we separate out mode shift/new trip growth from 'noise' of return to work?
Are these trips actually shifting to mass transit, or are they simply not taking place?
How do we separate out mode shift/new trip growth from 'noise' of return to work?
Since congestion pricing began one year ago, about 11% of the vehicles that once entered Manhattan’s central business district daily have disappeared. This may not seem like a lot, but it has changed the lives of many. Here’s how. trib.al/xSygqCm
January 5, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Has there been an updated version of the hub-bound report, or something that tallies ALL entries to the CBD?
Are these trips actually shifting to mass transit, or are they simply not taking place?
How do we separate out mode shift/new trip growth from 'noise' of return to work?
Are these trips actually shifting to mass transit, or are they simply not taking place?
How do we separate out mode shift/new trip growth from 'noise' of return to work?
The other bit that everyone forgets is that, in order to be eligible for more time in the first place, the law requires that they not only explain why, but provide a date CERTAIN and within a reasonable period...
If the agency has to extend the due date multiple times, it obviously wasn't "certain"
If the agency has to extend the due date multiple times, it obviously wasn't "certain"
January 5, 2026 at 9:36 PM
The other bit that everyone forgets is that, in order to be eligible for more time in the first place, the law requires that they not only explain why, but provide a date CERTAIN and within a reasonable period...
If the agency has to extend the due date multiple times, it obviously wasn't "certain"
If the agency has to extend the due date multiple times, it obviously wasn't "certain"
This response is already not compliant with the law. If the agency needs more than 20 additional business days, they are required to "state, in writing, the reason for the inability to grant the request within twenty business days". They don't get to start with 3 months automatically off the bat!
✅ The FOIL was acknowledged within the allowable timeframe.
🗓️ They say they will send me what I asked for in 91 days, or around the start of April.
🗓️ They say they will send me what I asked for in 91 days, or around the start of April.
January 5, 2026 at 9:17 PM
This response is already not compliant with the law. If the agency needs more than 20 additional business days, they are required to "state, in writing, the reason for the inability to grant the request within twenty business days". They don't get to start with 3 months automatically off the bat!
I mean, this is pretty much the real answer. The veneer is becoming more and more transparent as each year goes by. Not that the MTA is going to do anything about it.
January 5, 2026 at 3:45 PM
I mean, this is pretty much the real answer. The veneer is becoming more and more transparent as each year goes by. Not that the MTA is going to do anything about it.
He doesn't have money for most of the things he wants to do. But the test will be is he willing to compromise to get some of what he wants or let perfect be the enemy of good.
January 5, 2026 at 3:51 AM
He doesn't have money for most of the things he wants to do. But the test will be is he willing to compromise to get some of what he wants or let perfect be the enemy of good.
Yes, I think we can definitely say something went wrong with the MTA's rollout of OMNY...
January 5, 2026 at 3:47 AM
Yes, I think we can definitely say something went wrong with the MTA's rollout of OMNY...
It will be a big test for Mamdani. Is he willing to sacrifice free bus fares for everyone for free bus + subway fares for those who most need it/expansion of Fair Fares? The latter is definitely the better option. The Council is giving him a great off-ramp. Does he take it or bury his head?
January 5, 2026 at 3:43 AM
It will be a big test for Mamdani. Is he willing to sacrifice free bus fares for everyone for free bus + subway fares for those who most need it/expansion of Fair Fares? The latter is definitely the better option. The Council is giving him a great off-ramp. Does he take it or bury his head?
This is how I see the right way of expanding Fair Fares:
—Free fares for the very low/zero income households (<50% of the SNAP income guidelines)
—Half fares gradually phasing out based on income up to 200% of the SNAP income guidelines (which is 260%-400% of fed poverty lvl) 1drv.ms/w/c/566715f8...
—Free fares for the very low/zero income households (<50% of the SNAP income guidelines)
—Half fares gradually phasing out based on income up to 200% of the SNAP income guidelines (which is 260%-400% of fed poverty lvl) 1drv.ms/w/c/566715f8...
January 5, 2026 at 3:35 AM
This is how I see the right way of expanding Fair Fares:
—Free fares for the very low/zero income households (<50% of the SNAP income guidelines)
—Half fares gradually phasing out based on income up to 200% of the SNAP income guidelines (which is 260%-400% of fed poverty lvl) 1drv.ms/w/c/566715f8...
—Free fares for the very low/zero income households (<50% of the SNAP income guidelines)
—Half fares gradually phasing out based on income up to 200% of the SNAP income guidelines (which is 260%-400% of fed poverty lvl) 1drv.ms/w/c/566715f8...
The new LIRR and Metro-North ticket policies are really starting to hit ordinary riders over the last few days. The response/perception is overwhelmingly negative.
This is definitely one of the most self-destrictive moves the MTA has made in many years... www.reddit.com/r/LIRR/s/MRS...
This is definitely one of the most self-destrictive moves the MTA has made in many years... www.reddit.com/r/LIRR/s/MRS...
From the LIRR community on Reddit
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January 5, 2026 at 2:43 AM
The new LIRR and Metro-North ticket policies are really starting to hit ordinary riders over the last few days. The response/perception is overwhelmingly negative.
This is definitely one of the most self-destrictive moves the MTA has made in many years... www.reddit.com/r/LIRR/s/MRS...
This is definitely one of the most self-destrictive moves the MTA has made in many years... www.reddit.com/r/LIRR/s/MRS...
Perfect, thank you!!
I am 100% on #TeamPaperTicket so I didn't have any examples in my account to see 😄
I am 100% on #TeamPaperTicket so I didn't have any examples in my account to see 😄
January 4, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Perfect, thank you!!
I am 100% on #TeamPaperTicket so I didn't have any examples in my account to see 😄
I am 100% on #TeamPaperTicket so I didn't have any examples in my account to see 😄
If you already met the fare cap, MTA is charging you the extra $1 after the cap price increased today... www.reddit.com/r/nycrail/s/...
One thing I love about the MTA is its relentless commitment to leaving customers with a sour taste in their mouths
One thing I love about the MTA is its relentless commitment to leaving customers with a sour taste in their mouths
From the nycrail community on Reddit
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January 4, 2026 at 4:08 PM
If you already met the fare cap, MTA is charging you the extra $1 after the cap price increased today... www.reddit.com/r/nycrail/s/...
One thing I love about the MTA is its relentless commitment to leaving customers with a sour taste in their mouths
One thing I love about the MTA is its relentless commitment to leaving customers with a sour taste in their mouths
A question for the crowd: if you have purchased a round-trip or 10-trip ticket on eTix/TrainTime in the past, can you check to see if the "Ticket ID" (found in the details of the ticket in your account) is the same or different for the other legs of the trip?
January 4, 2026 at 3:03 PM
A question for the crowd: if you have purchased a round-trip or 10-trip ticket on eTix/TrainTime in the past, can you check to see if the "Ticket ID" (found in the details of the ticket in your account) is the same or different for the other legs of the trip?
Shorter trains also tend to pull up to the very front of the platform, which makes the crowding in the rear cars worse
January 4, 2026 at 3:55 AM
Shorter trains also tend to pull up to the very front of the platform, which makes the crowding in the rear cars worse