Metro-North Sees Highest Post-Pandemic Weekly and Midweek Ridership Recovery During Week of Dec.15
Dec. 20-21 Marks Metro-North’s Strongest Weekend Ridership Performance Since 2019
LIRR Saw Highest Post-Pandemic Saturday Ridership on Dec. 13; Highest Post-Pandemic Sunday Ridership on Dec. 21
Comes as Both Railroads Enjoy Consistent 97% On Time Performance and High Customer Satisfaction
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) have both broken post-pandemic ridership records this December. The week of Dec. 15 achieved the highest post-pandemic ridership recovery week for Metro-North, with 827,015 total customers representing a record 88% of an average pre-pandemic week in December 2019. The weekend of Dec. 20-21 was Metro-North's strongest weekend ridership performance of the post-pandemic era, with 245,638 customers. Average midweek ridership of 244,809 on Tuesday-Thursday, December 16-18, also stood at 88% of December 2019, a new post-pandemic ridership-recovery record.
The LIRR also broke weekend ridership records in December. 183,250 people rode the train on Saturday, Dec. 13, making it the highest post-pandemic Saturday. The LIRR saw 152,661 customers on Sunday, Dec. 21, marking the highest post-pandemic Sunday ridership.
“We continue to shatter ridership records because we are providing plenty of service to meet demand and remain focused on improving the customer experience,” said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free. “The LIRR is the best way to travel not just during the holiday season but throughout the year and we look forward to breaking more records in 2026.”
“We’re thrilled to see record ridership on Metro-North,” said Metro-North President Justin Vonashek. “From Super Express trains to delighting customers with our holiday lights trains, we’re always finding new ways to enhance the rider experience. We look forward to welcoming even more riders in the new year and encourage everyone to take advantage of the new discounts taking effect in January.”
The ridership surge comes as both commuter railroads enjoy record on-time performance statistics, which have consistently been at or near 97% in 2025. Customer satisfaction levels are also at all-time highs, with LIRR at 81% and Metro-North at 85%, according to the Authority’s latest “Customers Count” survey.
The record ridership comes as both railroads will have new ticketing policies in effect starting Sunday, Jan 4 that are designed to enhance the customer experience and help riders save money. This includes a universal reduced fare option for seniors, people with disabilities and those on Medicare that will be valid 24/7, including peak times. The Family Fare program will be expanded to include children under the age of 18, who can ride for $1 with a fare-paying adult. One-way paper and mobile tickets will be valid until 4:00 a.m. the next day, giving riders more flexibility, especially if their evening plans run late. A new unlimited day pass replaces the round trip ticket and will be valid until 4:00 a.m. the next day. Lastly, a new “pay as you go” mobile discount replaces the 10-trip discount. Riders get an 11th peak or off-peak trip free after paying for 10 peak or off-peak trips within the same 14-day period. Unlike the old ten trip discount, riders do not have to pre-pay to receive the discount.