Statement by Bradley Brashears, PCAC Planning Manager
Atlantic Ticket Field Study (Freedom Ticket) Implementation
At MTA Board Meeting
MTA Headquarters, 2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
May 23, 2018
Good morning Board members, I’m Bradley Brashears, representing the New York City Transit Riders Council regarding the Atlantic Ticket Field Study, the pilot program to the Council’s Freedom Ticket proposal.
On Monday we were encouraged that the Atlantic Ticket was approved by the Finance Committee, and we are now hopeful that all of you will vote in favor of this important study as well.
From the LIRR’s ridership book we identified over 10,000 peak hour empty seats between SE Queens stations and Atlantic Terminal. These non-revenue generating seats should be priced accordingly.
Our region has some of the longest commute times in the country. This pilot study is capable of substantially reducing many commutes, by allowing SE Queens riders who are far from city subway service to afford taking their closest rail service- the LIRR to the subway at a more affordable rate.
The Atlantic Ticket will have an important and meaningful rider impact, by reducing fares, and most importantly, reducing some extreme 2+hour commutes – down to as little as 45 minutes.
Financially, Atlantic Ticket riders will transform empty, non-revenue-producing seats into income producing seats.
We urge you-the Board, to vote in favor of the Atlantic Ticket Field Study. Let’s get these seats filled, generate the much needed revenue, and provide fare and travel time relief for so many outer-borough commuters. Thank you!
Download here: 052318 NYCTRC Atlantic Ticket Implementation