Molloy College, LIRR launch discount student tickets

MTA Long Island Rail Road and Molloy College have partnered to provide the first-ever discounted college ticket initiative for full-time students traveling to and from campus on the LIRR.

The LIRR-Molloy College Ticket Pilot Program provides a 25 percent discount subsidized by Molloy College. Students must purchase a monthly ticket or 10-trip ticket package via the MTA eTix mobile ticketing app. Molloy students will submit proof of purchase to Molloy College to receive the credit to their student account.

“Students are always looking for ways to not only save money, but be socially responsible at the same time,” said Molloy student Jordan Auriemma. “Molloy’s partnership with the LIRR helps students do both.”

The pilot program offers the discounts to Molloy’s signature Manhattan-based theater program, CAP 21, and enrolled students who live on the Rockville Centre campus and travel between Rockville Centre (Fare Zone 7) and New York City (Fare Zone 1). Students who take the LIRR to Rockville Centre Station can transfer to the N16 bus or take the Molloy College shuttle bus to campus.

“Molloy has earned a reputation as an institution that is committed to providing leadership on a variety of issues, including the work we have done over the years with our Energeia Partnership,” said Molloy Vice President Edward J. Thompson. “Now we are excited to launch a pilot program with the LIRR that focuses on public transportation.

“The program will encourage a very specific demographic (our CAP21 theatre students) to use the Long Island Rail Road to commute to our Manhattan Center and back to Rockville Centre,” he emphasized.

The discount program, to be fully funded by Molloy College, will provide students with a $770 savings for the school year, or $77 per month, for monthly ticket holders. Students who purchase 10-trip tickets from LIRR will save $218 for the school year, or $21.81 per month. The student savings will ease the financial burden of commuting and increase awareness of LIRR service as an efficient, more environmentally friendly and safer alternative to driving a car, the MTA noted.

“We thank Molloy College for funding this first-ever program that helps students with transportation costs and encourages using the LIRR,” said LIRR President Phil Eng. “This provides an attractive opportunity for every student while also reducing the carbon footprint. As these students learn and grow at Molloy and become our future leaders, their use of this initiative will lead by example to support mass transportation. We know this initiative can pave the way for more programs to help students save money.”

“We are proud to partner with a leading organization like the Long Island Rail Road,” said Molloy President Drew Bogner. “As Molloy has grown over the last two decades — and as it continues to grow — one important factor will be the ability of our students to take public transportation. That’s why this pilot program is important and why we are excited to work with the LIRR.”

For more information about the program, visit molloy.edu/molloy-life/ride-the-lirr-to-college.

Courtesy Molloy College; compiled by Briana Bonfiglio.