New Yorkers looking to explore the city and its surroundings this summer can do so without burning a hole in their pockets, thanks to the return of the "Summer Saturday" discount program. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad will bring back the popular discounted travel offer for monthly ticket holders. According to the announcement on the Governor's website, the theme is to put "more money in New Yorkers’ pockets."
The program, which runs from July 5 through August 30, will allow monthly pass holders to bring up to two additional passengers for just $1 each, on Saturdays, creating a budget-friendly opportunity for outings. As reported by NBC New York, Governor Hochul highlighted this move as a means to encourage travel to attractions like "Long Island beaches, Broadway shows and baseball games in the city, or hiking in the Hudson Valley." However the program will not allow for cross-company travel, LIRR customers cannot avail this on Metro-North trains and vice versa.
Enhanced convenience accompanies the discounts, with the ability to purchase the promotional $1 tickets through the TrainTime app or onboard at no additional charge. NBC New York notes that these tickets can be bought specifically in the Family Fares section of the app. This initiative is greeted as a boon for those who seek to soak in the summer delights without being hamstrung by travel expenses, solidifying the train as a preferred mode of transportation.
The railroads have confirmed there will be no cross-honoring of tickets between the LIRR and Metro-North Railroads, meaning travelers must stick to the company associated with their monthly pass. Certain peak-time trains on the Montauk Branch and Ronkonkoma lines are excluded from the deal, as told by the Governor's office. Meanwhile, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber has urged commuters to make the most of this offer, seeing it as a testament to their commitment to "creative fares" and customer satisfaction.
LIRR President Robert Free and Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek have both emphasized the appeal of taking advantage of the railroads to access regional attractions, promoting the deal as not just an affordable, but also a convenient alternative to the usual traffic-laden excursions.
