2025 New York State Legislative Agenda

New York State Budget Priorities – Rider-First Fare Agenda:
S.3887A/A.7316 (Comrie/González-Rojas) — Fair Fares Act
Expands New York City’s Fair Fares program, which provides a 50% fare discount to low-income individuals and families, to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and to the 39 LIRR and Metro-North stations in NYC. PCAC analysis found NYC has the lowest eligibility threshold and the highest poverty rate among the top ten most populous U.S. cities with similar programs.
S.4435/A.5384 (Comrie/Seawright) — Expanded A.M. peak discounts
Senior, disabled, and Medicare-eligible riders cannot use their discounts in the A.M. peak period on the LIRR and Metro-North, anywhere in the system. Without the discount, riders may pay more than double their usual fare. This gap makes no sense – particularly given that they can use the discount in the P.M. peak period.
S.4411/A.6646 (Comrie/Alvarez) — Create a weekly CityTicket with transfers
A weekly CityTicket for travel on the LIRR and Metro-North within New York City that includes a transfer to subways and buses would ensure New Yorkers who live or work near one of the city’s 39 commuter railroad stations, many of them in subway deserts, can afford the fastest transit available to them.
A.7017 (Kassay) — Family Fare Act
The LIRR and Metro-North currently offer no discount for 12-17-year-olds, making transit an expensive alternative to driving for families with older children.
Rider Representation and Transparency:
S.1148/A.1162 (Gounardes/Dinowitz) — Rider Representation Act
Empowers representatives of NYC Transit, LIRR, and Metro-North riders with voting MTA Board seats; creates a new voting member to advocate for riders with disabilities.
S.5164/A.5134 (Comrie/Solages) — Relates to the LIRR Commuter Council
Ensures members of the public are permitted to serve on the Council by decreasing the required number of members recommended by the county executives of Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens County, and Kings County from three members each to one member each.
S.1027/A.3615 (May/Simone) — Open meetings law reform
Makes it easier for the public and appointed members of boards and advisory committees like PCAC and its Councils to participate in remote meetings and count toward a quorum. Existing law permitting hybrid public meetings is set to expire in 2026. This reform would improve and continue the law.