New York Senate Bill S03706

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/25
• Refer: 1/29/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Amends the Long Island Rail Road weekend reduced fare program to include the East New York station.

Summary

This bill would amend the Long Island Rail Road’s weekend reduced fare program to ensure that trips involving East New York station are included in the same reduced-fare treatment as other qualifying weekend trips. The bill’s findings state that riders traveling between locations within New York City should not lose access to the reduced weekend fare merely because their train route passes through Nassau County. Under the bill, it would be unlawful for the Long Island Rail Road to exclude from its weekend reduced fare program individuals traveling from East New York station to another location within New York City, or from another location within New York City to East New York station. It also requires that all trips covered by the weekend reduced fare program receive the same reduced fare regardless of origin and destination. The bill would take effect on January 1 following enactment.

Impact

The bill would change the operation of the Long Island Rail Road’s weekend fare policy by extending reduced-fare eligibility to East New York station trips that are otherwise within New York City. In practical terms, it would affect the MTA/Long Island Rail Road’s fare administration and could require updates to ticketing, fare rules, and customer guidance. It does not create a new statewide transit program, but it would mandate a specific fare treatment for a defined set of LIRR weekend riders and routes.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive of transit affordability and fare equity, with the stated goal of preventing riders from being penalized by route geography. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of broader legislative debate or formal opposition in the available materials. The caption and findings suggest the measure is framed as a narrow consumer-friendly correction to existing fare rules.

Contention

The main point of contention implied by the bill is whether the Long Island Rail Road should be required to extend reduced weekend fares to East New York station trips even when the train passes through Nassau County. Supporters would likely emphasize fairness for New York City riders and consistency in weekend pricing, while potential opponents could focus on operational complexity, fare policy discretion, or revenue impacts for the MTA/LIRR. No specific lawmakers, agencies, or stakeholder groups are identified in the provided record as having formally taken either side.