LIRR September Ridership Exceeds 2019 Totals

The Long Island Rail Road carried 7.7 million passengers in September, a figure that exceeded the number of riders during the same month in 2019. This marks the second month this year that LIRR ridership has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, following a similar result in June. Through September, the railroad has handled approximately 95 percent of the volume it carried during the first nine months of 2019, a year in which the system transported a record 91 million riders.

The recovery in ridership has outpaced other agencies within the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The New York City subway system has hovered around 80 percent of its pre-COVID ridership, while Metro-North is operating at roughly 90 percent of its prior levels. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a "transit renaissance" in the region on Wednesday, citing the strong performance of the commuter rail lines.

"Many said we would never see pre-pandemic ridership again, but I doubled down on our railroads with investments in safety, increased and faster service, and completing historic projects like Grand Central Madison," Hochul said in a statement. MTA officials attributed the growth to the 2023 opening of Grand Central Madison, the use of the TrainTime app, and expanded fare discount programs.

Shanifah Rieara, the MTA Chief Customer Officer, told the board in Manhattan on Wednesday that the agency made riding easier and more affordable. "Those choices are bringing riders back to mass transit. And on the commuter railroads, we see it happening in droves," Rieara said. The LIRR generated $543.2 million in fares through September, up from $517.1 million in the same period last year.

The surge in passengers has led to tighter seating and reduced availability in station parking lots. Gerard Bringmann, chairman of the LIRR Commuter Council, described the situation as a "mixed blessing." "In the big picture, it’s worth it. But there will be some minor inconveniences, because there will be a few less seats," Bringmann said in an interview on Wednesday.

Gains have been particularly strong during off-peak hours and weekends, periods where the LIRR has already exceeded 2019 levels for three consecutive years. Ridership in Queens and Brooklyn has also increased, driven by the City Ticket, which allows travel within the boroughs for reduced rates. Use of the ticket more than quadrupled from 2022 to 2025. An off-peak ticket from Rosedale to Manhattan costs $5.25, while a similar fare from Valley Stream costs $10.

LIRR President Rob Free stated that the system still has ample capacity. He noted that only about 1 percent of trains reached 90 percent capacity or higher in the last month. During rush hours, that figure was approximately 3 percent.