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As more passengers begin using more than one New York-area transportation mode, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is seeking ways to create a more seamless regional transportation network. Yesterday, the authority announced two new initiatives designed to improve service between MTA agencies and other local transportation providers.

MTA, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad currently are working with Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority on a pilot interoperability project. Scheduled to begin in summer 2009, the pilot calls for providing Metro-North New Haven Line passengers rail access to 10 Giants and Jets football games. The agencies would provide a one-seat ride from the New Haven Line to NJ Transit’s Secaucus Junction, where riders then would transfer to special NJ Transit shuttle trains running between the New Jersey Meadowlands Sports Complex. In addition, MTA would implement a joint ticketing program enabling all Metro-North, LIRR and New York City Transit passengers to transfer to football trains at Penn Station using a single ticket for their entire ride.

MTA also plans to streamline customer service information among its operating agencies. The authority will create one designated customer service phone number to provide information for all MTA services.

“The vision is to integrate our transportation network with others so that customers can have a seamless journey between states and across transportation systems using different modes of travel,” said MTA Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Elliott Sander in a prepared statement.