Rockaway Peninsula, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato joined the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) to celebrate the tremendous success of the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) Far Rockaway CityTicket program as it celebrates its 2-year anniversary. For years, those looking to take the train to Manhattan (via either Penn Station or Grand Central) would have to pay full fare when other LIRR stations throughout the City were eligible for the reduced fare program, known as CityTicket. The Far Rockaway station, due to it “passing through” Nassau County, was excluded from this program. That changed in August 2023 when Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato, in partnership with other Rockaway State representatives, succeeded in securing the implementation of the Far Rockaway CityTicket. The new program was created to provide passengers who ride from the Far Rockaway LIRR Station into Manhattan with a one-way ticket for $7 during peak hours, or $5 during off-peak hours. Without the CityTicket discount, a peak ticket to Manhattan would cost $13, while an off-peak ticket would cost $9.75, according to the MTA.

Thanks to Pheffer Amato’s successful work to secure and actively promote the CityTicket program, over 416,000 CityTickets have been purchased from the Far Rockaway station. According to the MTA, this has resulted in saving Rockaway passengers over $1.6 million in transportation costs over the past 2 years. “This was always about affordability and making sure Rockaway residents got its fair share. Thanks to the partnership between the MTA and our community, everyone on the Peninsula can utilize the LIRR service and even save a few dollars,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato. “It’s a big world out there, and I’m going to work to make sure our community has access to see all of it.”

Commuters who wish to utilize this program will need to purchase the train ticket at the Far Rockaway station or use the MTA mobile app when in the geographical zone for the CityTicket price. For those looking to return from Manhattan to Far Rockaway, commuters would need to purchase a round-trip ticket in Far Rockaway as the CityTicket option is only available upon originating from Far Rockaway. Purchasing a ticket from Penn Station or Grand Central in Manhattan will be full price.