LIRR, Metro-North log ridership gains in 2022; MTA sets emissions reduction goal

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority this week announced that commuter railroads Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad logged ridership gains in 2022 compared to 2021 levels.

LIRR carried 52.5 million people in 2022, up 50% from 2021. That brings total ridership to 57.6% of pre-pandemic levels.

Metro-North carried 48.9 million people in 2022, up 59% from 2021, bringing total ridership to 56.4% of pre-pandemic levels.

Factors driving ridership growth included making it easier to access service information and ticketing and fare discounts, MTA officials said. In February 2022, the authority introduced a pilot program offering a 10% discount on monthly tickets, discounted 20-trip tickets and an expansion of the discounted $5 City Ticket from weekends only to all weekend and off-peak weekday trains.

In August 2022, MTA introduced the TrainTime app for both railroads, combining ticketing with real-time information on train location, estimated arrival times, track assignments and seating availability per car.

Meanwhile, MTA has set a goal to cut emissions by at least 85% by 2040 from a 2015 baseline.

MTA will achieve emissions reductions without compromising operational sustainability through recent progress on making the New York State electrical grid greener, MTA officials said in a press release.