Fare not fair, says State Sen. Sanders

Standing outside the boarded up waiting room of the Far Rockaway Long Island Rail Road station last Thursday, State Senator James Sanders (D-Rochdale Village), Assemblywoman Michele Titus (D-Far Rockaway) and several representatives of civic organizations called for the Queens community that borders Nassau County’s Five Towns to be included in the LIRR’S CityTicket weekend discount program.

The program would lower the cost of a weekend ticket for Far Rockaway riders heading to Manhattan or Brooklyn by $4 from the current off-peak price of $8.25 to $4.25. The reduced fare is available for all other Queens and Brooklyn stations.

Sanders introduced the Long Island Rail Road Fare Act in February, to propel that idea forward. Titus is sponsoring a companion bill in the Assembly.
The lawmakers believe that the legislation would spur economic growth by broadening transportation options and making travel to and from beach communities more affordable.

“There is something about the Rockaways that irritates the transportation system,” Sanders said, ticking off past insults such as having Rockaway passengers pay another cost to board trains to the other boroughs and once leaving the peninsula off a Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) map. “Why is CityTicket good for everyone but the Rockaways?” he added.

According to LIRR officials, lowering the cost of the Far Rockaway ticket, which is the same for all the other stations on the line: Inwood, Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Hewlett, Gibson and Valley Stream, would alter the fare structure since it would be possible for passengers to go to the Far Rockaway station, purchase the CityTicket with its accompanying discount and then board a train from their home community.

Sanders said he heard that argument and said that Far Rockaway patrons could easily show identification that they are residents of the community. “I asked for ID to prove we live in the Rockaways and I received no answer,” he said.

Titus said that including Far Rockaway in the reduced far program is a “no-brainer” and she said she enthusiastically jumped onboard to support her colleague and community. “How can we not be afforded the same benefit as all New Yorkers?” Titus asked rhetorically.

Danny Ruscillo, co-chairman of Queens Community Board 14’s Transportation Committee called the situation “preposterous.” “It is absurd that the Far Rockaway station is not included in the Long Island Rail Road’s weekend reduced fare program,” Ruscillo said. “Far Rockaway residents including visitors from different parts of our city should have this reduced fare put in place immediately.”

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) who represents Far Rockaway as well as Inwood and north and south Valley Stream, weighed in on the matter. “Far Rockaway is very definitely a part of the city and should not be shortchanged, even if the line goes through Nassau County,” said Meeks, who added that he will address the matter with the MTA chairman this week.

Spokesman Aaron Donovan said that it’s too early to have an official opinion as the LIRR is in the process of viewing the proposed bills. “We’re reviewing the legislation, but at this point it would be premature to comment further,” he said.

Waiting room needs repair
Sanders, Titus and civic leaders also decried the condition of the Far Rockaway station beginning with the gated, unused waiting room. “I will be discussing the waiting room with the LIRR,” said Sanders, adding that the entire Rockaway Peninsula must unite to help eliminate what he perceives as “mistreatment” by the MTA. “I am not going to go away on this issue.”

Have an opinion about Far Rockaway being part of the CityTicket discount program? Send your letter to the editor to jbessen@liherald.com.