Good afternoon, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director for the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.
This morning at the triple joint committee meeting, we heard extensively about changes coming to OMNY and eTix and how they will — eventually — coexist. We understand the path being charted to clean up Cubic’s mess while maintaining TrainTime’s success and look forward to the day when we will have integrated fares. The actions you will take today will bring us closer to that day, with one linked MTA account for riders who opt-in. Integrated fares will also allow for more and better discounts, something PCAC advocates for vociferously. We hope that end use will be seamless for riders and that the doubters will be proved wrong. We are particularly pleased that in-house talent and ingenuity will be used.
You will also take action on monthly discounts for West-of-Hudson commuters, with new and better service and service options, something our Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council has long called for. Commuters on both railroads will be incentivized to ride on summer weekends with additional “temporary railroad fare promotions.” Coming in advance of congestion pricing, we hope that more people will be encouraged to get onboard with their families and enjoy all our beautiful region has to offer. Hopefully, it will be a good way for people who haven’t ridden in a while to ease back onto the rails.
You will also take action on a new lease for 2 Broadway, and we are really looking forward to the new options that will come with it. Don’t get me wrong, we love Rosen’s and will continue to patronize it, but variety is truly the spice of life.
That spicy variety is why we continue to look forward to the day when riders will be able to use one ticket, or tap, or app, to ride on Metro-North, the Long Island Rail Road and transit.
Thank you.