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Metro-North Rate Hike Takes Effect

The nearly four-percent rate increase approved by MTA officials in February went into effect on Easter Sunday, April 21.

The MTA.

The MTA.

 Photo Credit: Phil Corso/file photo
Zak Failla
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Commuters who purchase a monthly ticket, now more than $460, to use the Hudson line from Poughkeepsie, New Hamburg and Beacon will see no increase either. Monthly and weekly ticket buyers will see an increase of no more than 3.85 percent and there will be no increase for weekly tickets of $147 or more.

The hikes were initially expected to take effect in March, but the MTA was delayed. This marks the seventh price increase since 2008. Metro-North has also moved its morning peak restrictions by an hour, allowing customers to pay off-peak prices for any arrival or departure at Grand Central Terminal before 6 a.m.

The new rates won’t impact rides west of the Hudson on the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines. Those riders were reportedly spared due to a year fraught with disabled and canceled trains in the Hudson Valley.

According to the MTA:

  • For monthly and weekly commuters, fares will increase by no more than 3.85 percent. Monthly ticket increases will not exceed $15.00. Weekly ticket increases will not exceed $5.75;
  • Intermediate monthly and weekly ticket increases are also capped at 3.85 percent. Some one-way fares will have larger increases only because fares must occur in 25-cent increments. For these one-way fares, any increase greater than 6 percent would be not more than 50 cents per ride;
  • There is no increase for Monthly Tickets greater than or equal to $460.00;
  • There is no increase for Weekly Tickets greater than or equal to $147.00;
  • Monthly/Weekly UniTicket with connecting services will increase by approximately 4 percent;
  • Monthly Commutation tickets will be available for sale on the 25th of the preceding month, beginning April 25, 2019, so if you are purchasing your monthly ticket for May, it will not be on sale until April 25;
  • There is no increase for Family Fare tickets;
  • City Ticket fares will increase by 25 cents to $4.50;
  • Effective May 1, for all tickets on Metro-North Railroad, $50 MetroCards will no longer be available in conjunction with your monthly commutation ticket;
  • Ticket offices and Ticket Vending Machines will continue to offer a round trip rail ticket with $5.50 Metro-Card on the back, and one can purchase a stand-alone $25 MetroCard at the machine.

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