Governor Cuomo Calls On MTA To Reduce Fares For LIRR Commuters On Diverted Trains

LongIsland.com

Commuters Diverted to Atlantic Terminal and Hunterspoint Should Receive Fare Discounts.

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New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

Photo by: Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

Albany, NY - June 19, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today called on the MTA to reduce fares for LIRR commuters who are not traveling into Penn Station because they are riding trains that terminate at either Atlantic Terminal or Hunterspoint.  As a result of reduced track capacity during Amtrak’s emergency repair work this summer, there are LIRR trains that will terminate at either Atlantic Terminal or Hunterspoint instead of continuing into Penn Station. Governor Cuomo made clear that those customers who hold monthly, weekly or daily passes and whose commute will end before Penn Station should be compensated with a reduced fare for the inconvenience. Governor Cuomo also called on the MTA to explore potential discounts for subway riders on diverted trains. 
 
"LIRR riders unable to go into Penn Station this summer because of Amtrak's emergency repair work deserve a discounted fare for enduring the inconvenience of a disrupted commute," Governor Cuomo said. "Our top priority is ensuring all New Yorkers can get where they need to go as quickly and easily as possible this summer with minimal inconvenience and this is just another way we can try and relieve frustration."
 
Governor Cuomo made the call for reduced fares while marking the opening of the West End Concourse at Farley. The West End Concourse Expansion completes the first phase of the transformational Pennsylvania Station-Farley Complex announced by Governor Cuomo in September 2016 to redevelop the Farley Building, creating a new 255,000 square foot Train Hall to house passenger facilities for the Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak. Last week, Governor Cuomo announced the final agreement on the $1.6 billion redevelopment of the Penn-Farley Complex allowing for major construction to begin after decades of delays.  New renderings of the new Penn-Farley Complex are available here. 
 
The redesign of the LIRR portions of Penn Station will significantly improve passenger experience and circulation. The new West End concourse increases passenger circulation and streamlines train operations by doubling the length and width of the original concourse, providing new stairways connecting with nine of Penn Station’s eleven train platforms, and adding an additional passenger elevator on each platform for comfort and increased ADA accessibility. These new vertical access points will allow passengers to enter and leave the platforms faster and more easily, reducing dwell time for the trains on these platforms during boarding and disembarking.