Bronx Commuters Boost Metro-North Ridership as Pandemic Woes Linger

As of September 2025, Metro-North Railroad has seen a significant boost in ridership at its Bronx stations, thanks to the introduction of the CityTicket fare. The CityTicket, which costs $7 during peak hours and $5 at other times, has lured in many New York City residents who previously avoided the commuter rail due to higher station-to-station fares.

Ridership at the Tremont and Spuyten Duyvil stations in the Bronx has risen by 163% and 152% respectively since March 2022, outpacing the overall gains across the Metro-North system. Governor Kathy Hochul credited the CityTicket with $100 million in cost savings for Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road customers since its expansion to include peak travel in 2023.

However, Metro-North continues to struggle with stubborn ridership gaps compared to pre-pandemic levels. In June 2025, the system's ridership was still only 83% of what it was in June 2019, as more companies have allowed employees to work from home. The railroad has tried to address this by expanding service in the Bronx, which has recovered at a faster pace than other parts of the network. Stations like Fordham see a steady stream of healthcare workers commuting to jobs in Westchester County.