Question: I live in Lawrence and attend a Daf Yomi class each morning in Far Rockaway before commuting to Manhattan via the Long Island Railroad (LIRR). The New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) offers a much cheaper "Far Rockaway Ticket" for trips to Manhattan compared to the pricier "Lawrence Ticket," since Far Rockaway falls within New York City while Lawrence is in Nassau County. Because I am present in Far Rockaway each morning, the MTA app allows me to buy the discounted round-trip ticket from there. My question is: On my return home from Manhattan, can I exit the train at Lawrence—my actual home—instead of riding all the way to Far Rockaway, as indicated by the discounted ticket that I bought?
Answer: Thank you for this thought-provoking question which can be likened to the classic “Stop-Over Question,” like when someone living in Denver buys a plane ticket to Los Angeles (with a stop in Denver) because it is cheaper than a direct plane ticket to Denver—and wonders if it is permissible to just disembark in Denver. According to Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Shlita one should avoid this practice unless absolutely necessary.
Regarding your specific question, several Halachic concerns suggest that you should not get off at Lawrence, but continue on to Far Rockaway as your ticket states. MTA Chair Janno Lieber specifically mentioned that the discount was intended for "Far Rockaway riders." Plus, the MTA uses GPS to confirm your phone’s location in Far Rockaway before allowing the ticket purchase. Exiting early at Lawrence could be seen as misleading the MTA about your trip, which may constitute Genaivas Da’as (deception), as discussed in Chullin 94a. Additionally, the Chofetz Chaim in Ahavas Chessed teaches, based on "Midvar Sheker Tirchak" (distance yourself from falsehood), that when deception is used to avoid paying money legitimately owed, it constitutes a form of theft. The discount was designed for Far Rockaway riders not for Lawrence riders.
Rav Yavrov ZT”L, referencing Sefer Chassidim in his Niv Sfasayim, also rules that even hinting at dishonesty through physical actions is forbidden, drawing from "Hin Tzedek," meaning our conduct should always be truthful. Thus, if people notice you buying a Far Rockaway ticket in the morning and see you getting off at Lawrence on your return trip home, it could violate this principle.
On the other hand, there are strong arguments for permitting you to depart the train at Lawrence. Rav Shmuel who was cited above did not rule that it was outright forbidden. Rav Yisroel Dovid Harfenes Shlita has ruled that it is allowed as long as it is not an explicit condition of sale (i.e. that it is not stated somewhere in the terms and conditions that the ticket may only be used for trips that start and end in Far Rockaway).
There is also debate between Rashi and Tosfos regarding the nature of Geneivas Da’as. According to Rashi, the prohibition only applies when something deceptive is actually said. If nothing is spoken, and the other party misleads themselves, no transgression occurs. In your case, you simply board, show your valid ticket, say nothing untrue, and leave at Lawrence.
Consider also Minhag HaSochrim, or common accepted commercial practice: universally, it is understood that passengers can (and do) disembark at any stop along their route, and no train system requires travel to the final printed destination.
Moreover, the MTA seems to have chosen to verify only your location via GPS, not residency or ultimate destination. If you are physically in Far Rockaway, you can buy the ticket—even if you do not live there.
Further, the ticket terms state that the Far Rockaway Ticket “can be used for direct travel between [emphasis added] Far Rockaway and stations in LIRR Zone 1 [Manhattan].” Nowhere does it require riding all the way to Far Rockaway and prohibit disembarkment at an intermediate stop that is in between such as Lawrence.
However, the issue of Chillul Hashem (creating a negative impression of Torah observance) should be considered. For instance, if we pay extra for a beautiful Esrog on Succos, should we not also pay more for the Lawrence ticket to avoid any perception of impropriety?
In summary, compelling Halachic opinions exist on both sides. Those who wish to take the stricter approach and not exit the train at Lawrence or exit at Lawrence and pay for the Lawrence Ticket are acting Lifnim M’Shuras HaDin - going above and beyond the basic requirement of the law (and deserve praise). Those who follow the lenient position also have legitimate Halachic basis to support their actions. You are encouraged to discuss the matter further with your Rav for personalized guidance.
