New York: Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday (Sep 14) announced Metro-North Railroad carried a record pandemic-era ridership yesterday with 180,200 riders, or 68.6 per cent of the pre-pandemic average, topping Metro-North’s previous record, set on Wednesday, September 7, of 179,600. Metro-North ridership on the four weekdays after Labor Day was the highest four-day streak since COVID began, with an average weekday ridership of 171,000 or 65.1 per cent of the pre-pandemic average.
“Our record-breaking ridership numbers are the latest indicator that New York’s post-pandemic comeback is gaining momentum in New York City and the HudsonValley,” Governor Hochul said. “Having more New Yorkers use our public transit is not only good for the economy, but also great for the environment, and this latest milestone is an encouraging sign for what’s to come.”
Metro-North President and Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi said, “We are seeing a healthy return of riders across all railroad travel markets, an indication that more and more riders are finding that the commuter railroads are a fast and easy way to travel in our region – even more so with the launch of our new Train Time app that puts ticketing, hyper-granular real-time train information and live interactive customer service in one place.”
Additionally, Ridership numbers on New York City Transit and the Long Island Rail Road were also high. Subway ridership reached 3.61 million on Sept. 13, the second highest number since the pandemic began in New York in March 2020. Buses carried approximately 1.42 million riders on the same day. LIRR carried 200,200 riders or 69 per cent of pre-pandemic ridership, its second-highest ridership of the pandemic and second only to the record set on Wednesday, Sept. 7, of 204,000.
The MTA continues to encourage ridership with fare discounts rolled out earlier this year. Both the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North rolled out fare offerings including a 10 per cent discount for monthly passes, and a new 20-trip ticket tailored for the hybrid work schedule. The new 20-trip ticket saves riders 20 per cent on regular peak one-way fares. For commuter rail riders travelling within the five boroughs, the MTA also expanded City Ticket, which offers a reduced, flat fare of $5.00 for rail travel within New York City on weekends, to include all weekday off-peak trains.
