One Ticket Ride To Giants And Jets Games

[x635 4,066]

By: Anne Michaud

Published: June 5, 2007 - 12:31 pm

CRAINS NY BUSINESS

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chief Executive Elliot "Lee" Sander demonstrated his love of the game today by announcing a promotional inter-agency transit ticket to New York Giants and Jets football games during the 2009 season.

Passengers on Metro North, the Long Island Rail Road, subways and city buses will be able to transfer to New Jersey Transit trains using a single ticket for the journey to the New Jersey Meadowlands Sports Complex, Mr. Sander said. The pilot program is intended to signal that the MTA is headed toward more regional and "seamless" thinking in transit, Mr. Sander told a Crain's breakfast audience.

"The vision is to integrate our transportation network with others so that customers can have a seamless journey between states and across transportation systems," Mr. Sander said.

Another facet of the pilot is to offer Metro North's New Haven line customers a trip to the New Jersey games, crossing straight through New York without changing trains. Shuttle buses would meet passengers in Secaucus to take them to the Meadowlands. The service will be available up to 10 times during the 2009 Jets and Giants season.

The MTA is also studying a one-number call center, similar to the city's 3-1-1 service, that would provide information for passengers of all of its seven agencies.

Mr. Sander also said that he expected to announce by mid-July plans to close the MTA's projected budget deficits and whether fare increases will be needed. He said the agency is facing an $800 million funding gap in 2008, $1.5 billion in 2009 and $1.8 billion in 2010.

Asked whether he would consider eliminating MetroCard's weekly and monthly discounts, Mr. Sander said no idea is off the table. He has also asked his agency heads to turn in budgets showing 2% and 4% spending cuts.

Mr. Sander supported the idea of congestion pricing that Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been touting and for which the mayor is seeking legislative approval in Albany. Congestion pricing seeks to reduce Manhattan traffic by charging cars $8 and trucks $21 for driving within the borough below 86th Street during business hours.

The idea could get people out of their cars and moving toward transit-oriented travel as the city's population grows, Mr. Sander said.

"This has the potential to being a very important platform for that strategic move by the city," he said, adding that the cash infusion would also help the MTA build for the future.

Mr. Sander said he is in detailed talks with the Bloomberg administration about how to build mass transit alternatives into under-served areas now. The trick, he said, is to give people sufficient alternatives to car travel before implementing the congestion pricing charges.

[Billy 68]

←

I'll believe it when i see it!!

[Guest partyrock]

Great, one ticket, two trains and a bus, and how many hours. Why are they building a line down 2nd ave when there still isn't a line to the meadowlands

[M' Ave 1,466]

Great, one ticket, two trains and a bus, and how many hours.  Why are they building a line down 2nd ave when there still isn't a line to the meadowlands

←

Becuase the 2nd ave line will carry far more people on a daily basis.

HOWEVER, a spur to the meadow lands is under construction.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

What are we to do then? Tailgate in MTA parking lots? lol.

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!

[MTACOP 0]

The NJ Sports Authority, or whatever their name could make an area with grills and tables. They would charge like they do to park I'm sure. Then again NJ Transit would like ot get some bang for their buck too.

I'm waiting for the Yankee Stadium Station.