West-of-Hudson commuters scored a win this week as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) confirmed that it will pause planned fare increases for Metro-North riders on the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day praised the decision, noting months of discussions with Metro-North leadership. “It was good to hear that MTA and Metro-North have backed off on their planned fare increases for West-of-Hudson customers,” Day said. “We appreciate the constructive conversations that have been had over the past four months with MNR President Vonashek and his staff, which I believe have shed some light on the true challenges that Rockland County commuters face daily.”
Day expressed hope that this move signals a broader commitment to addressing long-standing commuter concerns. “We look forward to the MTA investing in the necessary equipment and infrastructure needed to increase service on the Pascack Valley line and improve our Rockland County stations. In the interim, we are grateful that our rail commuters will not need to spend any more than they already do.”
The fare adjustment follows an extensive public comment period in which more than 1,300 riders, advocates, and officials weighed in. In response, the MTA announced several changes to its proposed fare policies, including lowering the cap on seven-day unlimited bus and subway passes to $35, extending the validity of one-way LIRR and Metro-North tickets until 4:00 a.m. the next day, and expanding “family fares” to allow children up to 17 to ride for $1 when accompanied by a paying adult.
The broader systemwide fare and toll increases, originally slated for March 2025, have been pushed to January 2026. The MTA Board is scheduled to vote on the revised plan at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, September 30.