Senator Kemp Hannon has sponsored a bill (S.1309) to ease the financial burden on commuters by giving them up to a $2,000 tax deduction on their state taxes for a year's ridership. A commuter is defined as someone who uses the rail system at least 125 days during the taxable year.

"With ridership declining on the Long Island Rail Road, it is important that we offer incentives to encourage people to ride the rails. In addition to relieving traffic congestion and parking pressure, our commuter rail system is an asset to saving energy and reducing pollution," Hannon said.

Motor vehicles are the most significant source of carbon monoxide emissions in New York State. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has estimated that automobiles are responsible for over 90 percent of carbon monoxide pollution and 50 percent of the ozone precursors that contribute to smog in the state. The contribution of pollution from automobiles will remain the same or worsen as more New Yorkers choose to drive more often in the future.