Basically,
CityTicket is a program for LIRR and Metro-North where passengers traveling within New York City on weekends get a discounted rate of $3.50. Using the system is an incredible eye-opener as these express trains are truly fast compared to the subway's so-called express trains. Yes, service is more infrequent, but it's punctual and having the schedule on a handy Iphone or a little pamphlet makes it a non-issue. The odd thing is I've been here for for two years and have only recently known about this (implemented in 2004) while pretty much everyone else I've mentioned this to have never heard of it.
NYC is a few steps behind at the moment as there's no integrated payment plan between the subways and the commuter rails while weekend service is rather limiting. What would make sense is to create a reasonable fare structure involving the three services and to expand this to regular service at all times (or at the very least, all off-peak hours).
I've seen this done in Tokyo already which takes commuter rail and their tracks (generally seldom used at full capacity) and turns them into express trains within the city. In Taipei, the extensive commuter rail system is currently integrating itself within the subway system through having a shared revenue/pass system. This is pretty much the cheapest and most inexpensive way to improve mass transit within the city as it gives many areas previously underserved by mass transit a fantastic alternative (especially in Queens). The cost of fare restructuring is trivial compared to many other current plans to restructure mass transit with perhaps higher maintenance fees and possibly more traincars being the only significant costs. It also allows New Yorkers to take full advantage of the service improvements being done in terms of the commuter rail
Anyhow, I just wanted to spread the word a little and hopefully someone on this board knows some organization petitioning to get this done soon or details on the possibilities and complications of this system.
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