'Summer Saturday' program returns with discounted prices for additional passengers on LIRR, governor says

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the return of Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad “Summer Saturday” discount programs Wednesday, in an effort to encourage monthly ticket holders to take mass transit more frequently during the summer.

In a news release, Hochul said the program’s return is about “putting more money back in New Yorkers’ pockets.”

Under the program, LIRR monthly ticket holders can travel anywhere the railroad goes — while those on the Metro-North can ride to nearly all of its stations — on Saturdays in July and August at no additional cost, and bring up to two guests paying $1 per trip.

Cross-honoring of discounted tickets between the railroads is not permitted, however, meaning that LIRR customers are not allowed to use their monthly tickets to travel on Metro-North and vice versa.

The governor said in the release: “By allowing monthly pass holders to bring friends and family along for just a dollar, we’re making it easier and more affordable for New Yorkers to ride the rails this summer.”

According to the release, three Montauk Branch LIRR trains and one Ronkonkoma train and its Greenport connection are exempt from the program, which started in 2018.

The program’s promotional $1 tickets can be purchased through the TrainTime app under Family Fares or on board for no extra charge.