LIRR to go cashless soon for onboard purchases

Long Island Rail Road riders soon won't be able to use cash for onboard purchases.
The MTA announced that a pilot program will begin in March that will prohibit cash transactions on board trains. That means conductors would only be able to sell tickets via credit card transactions.
Ticket vending kiosks and ticket windows will still accept cash.
The MTA says it will evaluate the pilot program's impact afterward.
The MTA is also looking at closing seven ticket offices as a cost-cutting measure. Those offices are Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Wantagh, Lynbrook, Amityville, Massapequa and Flushing.
Some riders say they do not like using the ticket machines or smartphone apps and say they are not happy with the decision.
MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye said, "Cash on LIRR trains has declined 40% in the last two to three years. We expect that decline to continue."