MTA Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng today announced a ‘Summer Saturdays’ program to begin June 2, as a way to say “Thank you” to our monthly ticket holders for their continued patronage, and a hearty “Hello and welcome!” to guests and potential new customers.

On 13 Saturdays this summer, from June 2 to August 25, monthly LIRR tickets will be honored system wide, to and from all 124 LIRR stations. Monthly pass holders will have the chance to bring along up to four additional companions aboard LIRR trains for only $1 per person, each way. Children and adults alike are encouraged to participate.

Summer Saturdays will open up endless possibilities for exploring Long Island and its gorgeous warm-weather landscape, along its coastlines and beaches to the North and South Forks and their numerous wineries and farms. This incentive will help create lasting memories as LIRR monthly pass customers, along with their family and friends, get out of their cars and onto our trains and head to destinations across the island.

“Since coming aboard at the LIRR, I wanted to find a way to offer something to our loyal monthly customers – and we believe this program accomplishes that and shows our customers how much we appreciate them,” LIRR President Phil Eng said. “Beyond that, we’re excited to be a part of reducing the carbon footprint on Long Island by getting motorists out of their cars, while promoting the Long Island tourism industry, as rail travel across the island takes customers straight to the unique and magnificent local destinations that exist right here in our own backyard.”

The LIRR Summer Saturdays pilot is modeled on the existing Family Fare ticket, which runs year-round, and allows up to four children (ages 5-11; children under 5 ride free) to ride for $1 each when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. This new program extends this offer to adults as well, when traveling with a monthly customer whose ticket in effect becomes a system-wide pass on Summer Saturdays.

Check out our extensive Summer Getaways packages here, and stay tuned as we work with our existing Getaway partners to extend package discounts to our monthly customers. The LIRR is also looking to partner with Discover Long Island, as well as individual merchants to create a list of participating vendors offering special discounts.

LIRR staff will continuously monitor the popularity of the program, and make adjustments as necessary. Some exclusions to ‘Summer Saturdays’, due to capacity concerns, and special events include: