While much attention has focused on the booming ridership, new unlimited ride passes and service problems of NYC Transit, the MTA also reports increased commuter rail ridership and strong use of fare discounts on the Long Island Railroad. In January, Metro-North and Long Island Railroads began offering a 9% discount on monthly passes purchased along with a $60 NYC Transit Metrocard.

The Long Island Railroad sales department reported it is now selling about 40,000 of the combined passes per month, a number equivalent to about 30% of LIRR's daily riders. LIRR ridership was up about 1.6% in the first quarter of 1998, compared to the same period last year. Non-commute trips made up the bulk of the increase, so LIRR revenue has increased more quickly than expected in the face of high participation in the discount program.

Metro-North ridership is up about 3% for the first quarter, although only about 5% of its riders use the discount package. MTA officials say LIRR riders use NYC Transit subways and buses far more than Metro-North riders. The LIRR fare structure in fact leads many train riders to switch to subways at stations in Queens.

This week, the commuter rail package deal shifted slightly - the $60 MetroCard has now been replaced by a $63 unlimited ride bus and subway pass (which is set to a calendar month, rather than 30-day schedule, unlike the passes sold in the city).