The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) two commuter railroads — the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad — each broke post-pandemic ridership records on May 20, with the LIRR carrying 285,050 riders and the Metro-North Railroad carrying 255,638 riders. 

Together, the railroads combined to carry a single-day record of 540,688 riders.

“Record-setting commuter railroad reliability has brought riders back to transit and in the process, helped to revive the regional economy post-pandemic,” said MTA Chair/CEO Janno Lieber. “Tip of the hat to our amazing railroad workforce for yet another milestone.”

Record-Setting Days Represent Positive Momentum

The LIRR surpassed its previous post-pandemic record of 284,694 passengers, set in Nov. 2024, with the highest recorded weekday average in the railroad’s history, 332,647 riders, recorded in June 2019. 

Meanwhile, Metro-North continues its incredible momentum, by surpassing its previous post-pandemic record of 249,585, which was set in Oct. 2024. The highest recorded weekday average in Metro-North history — 290,837 passengers — was recorded in October 2019.

The MTA reports that on-time performance for both railroads remains historically high, with Metro-North at more than 98% and the LIRR close behind at 97%. 

Continuing Ridership Gains

Additionally, March 2025 LIRR ridership increased 10.4% compared to March 2024, representing 87.6% of March 2019, which is the highest post-pandemic percentage. 

Commutation ridership increased 10.6% and non-commutation ridership increased 10.2%, surpassing the same month in 2019.

Metro-North’s total ridership in March 2025 of 5.8 million increased by 19.6% from February. 

Average daily ridership increased 8% to 185,633; average weekday ridership increased 5.8% to 216,540; and average weekend ridership increased 20% to 102,564. 

Metro-North’s total ridership increased 8.1% compared to March 2024, representing 81.1% of March 2019 ridership.