Generations of Far Rockaway residents have been plagued with some of the longest commute times in the nation along with additional expenses, but on May 4, state Senator James Sanders and his colleagues in government announced a breakthrough.
The MTA has agreed to expand its CityTicket program to finally include the Far Rockaway LIRR station allowing commuters to purchase $5 flat-fare tickets for off-peak hours for intracity trips. Sanders, who has pressed for Far Rockaway’s inclusion in the program for more than a decade when he was on the City Council, was able to get his proposal into the Senate One House Budget resolution this year as a negotiating position.
“What a magnificent victory. After leading the fight for over 15 years, and being joined by other elected officials, I am truly grateful the MTA finally listened to the demands and needs of the Southeast Queens community,” Sanders said. “Southeast Queens was ignored by the MTA from their discount ticket programs for too long.”
Sanders applauded MTA president Janno Lieber and the agency for finally realizing that the Rockaways are part of New York City. The Far Rockaway CityTicket will be sold from vending machines at the station or on TrainTime, the MTA mobile phone app for purchases.
“LIRR intends to implement this pilot concept as part of the upcoming fare and toll change proceedings in Summer 2023. Folding Far Rockaway Station into the CityTicket promotions will allow MTA to continue supporting mobility, employment, and equity in the region, and we embrace the opportunity to do so,” MTA spokeswoman Kayla Shults said. “CityTicket is part of a broader commitment by Governor Hochul and the MTA to allow NYC residents to take full advantage of commuter railroads and we are excited that new technology allows us to expand its availability to residents of the Rockaways.”
When launched in 2004, CityTicket was available at all commuter train stations in the city except Far Rockaway because…
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