The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced a new “Winter Weekend” discount program for Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad riders, offering expanded travel options and reduced fares for monthly ticketholders. The program, which launches Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, and runs through the end of March, allows monthly ticket holders to travel anywhere within their respective railroad’s network regardless of the stations printed on their tickets.
As part of the program, monthly ticketholders can bring up to two additional passengers for just $1 per person each way on Saturdays and Sundays. These promotional fares can be purchased through the TrainTime app under Family Fares or onboard trains without extra fees. The initiative builds on the success of the “Summer Saturday” discount program and aims to encourage greater public transit use as the MTA implements the Congestion Relief Zone on Jan. 5, 2025.
MTA officials emphasized the value and convenience of the program. Rob Free, president of the Long Island Rail Road, highlighted the record-high performance levels achieved by the LIRR in 2024, including a year-to-date on-time performance of 95.7% and the best November in the railroad’s history at 96.2%, all while running 40% more service. Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi pointed to the railroad’s 98% on-time performance and the numerous occasions it has surpassed pre-COVID weekend ridership this fall, noting that the program provides an affordable way to explore destinations like Grand Central Terminal and upstate New York.
The Winter Weekend program offers a timely option for riders amid recent enhancements to the MTA’s services. Earlier this month, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced improvements to 24 bus routes across New York City, complementing subway service increases implemented between July 2023 and July 2024. The MTA views the Winter Weekend discounts as a way to reduce congestion and further encourage the use of public transit.
The program does not include cross-honoring between the LIRR and Metro-North, meaning tickets are only valid within the individual railroad’s territory. For additional details, customers are encouraged to visit the MTA website or use the TrainTime app.
