New LIRR Fares & Fare Policies Take Effect December 30, 2010

The MTA Board recently approved a fare increase and a series of fare policy changes to help close a $900 million budget gap. Most commuter rail tickets will increase between 7.6% and 9.4%, depending on ticket type and distance traveled. The changes include:

• Monthly tickets for January 2011, on sale as of 12/20, will be priced at the new rate.
• Weekly tickets for January 1-7, on sale as of 12/29, will be priced at the new rate.
• The Mail&Ride discount for purchasing a combined monthly ticket/unlimited MetroCard will be reduced to 2% (from 4%).
• Other Mail&Ride discounts and all WebTicket discounts will be eliminated.

New Fares - Effective December 30, 2010
New Mail&Ride Fares - Effective December 30, 2010

NEW VALIDITY PERIODS
Tickets Purchased on or after December 30, 2010

• One-Way & Round-Trip tickets are valid for14 days, including date of sale (reduced from 6 months).
• Ten-Trip tickets are valid for 6 months from date of sale (reduced from 1 year).

Tickets Purchased Before December 30, 2010

• One-Way and Round-Trip tickets purchased before 12/30/10 remain valid for 6 months from date of sale.
• Ten-Trip tickets purchased before 12/30/10 remain valid for one year from date of sale.
  

NEW REFUND POLICIES
Refund Processing Fee

• A $10 refund processing fee will be charged for each refund transaction for all tickets purchased on or after December 30, 2010.
  

Refund Deadlines

• Unused One-Way and Round-trip tickets (valid for 14 days, including date of sale) can be refunded for 30 days from date of sale.
  
• Unused or partially-used Ten-Trip tickets (valid for six months from date of sale) can be refunded for 30 days from date of sale.
• NO tickets will be refunded after 30 days from date of sale.
• All refund requests will be processed through the LIRR’s Ticket Refund office. However, tickets may be surrendered at staffed ticket offices, where customers will be asked to fill out a form.
  

OTHER CHANGES
Exchanges

• One-Way, Round-Trip and Ten-Trip tickets purchased on December 30, 2010 or later may only be exchanged at the ticket window within 24 hours from the date of sale.
  

Onboard Ticket Sales

• Effective December 30, 2010, Round-Trip tickets will no longer be sold onboard trains.
• Only One-Way tickets will be sold onboard trains starting December 30, 2010.
• Step-Up fees and Extension of Ride fees have been rounded up to the nearest dollar.