Regional rail commuters will see the price of tickets climb in December due to an approved 6 percent hike in fares starting Dec. 1.
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State Rep. Pam Staneski expressed disappointment that the will of Metro-North rail commuters was not heard with the announcement that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will be raising train fares. This increase includes a previously approved 1 percent increase.
Staneski was one of several Republican lawmakers who collected signatures for a ‘No Fare Increase’ petition, a petition which was signed by more than 1,700 Metro North rail commuters.
Staneski also testified at the CTDOT public hearing in New Haven last month against the fare increases saying the increase should be halted and instead other savings should be found in the state budget.
“In May, the majority in the legislature passed a state budget which cut $37 million from DOT’s 2017 budget, a budget I voted against. Unfortunately, the riders on Metro-North now have to make up this state budget shortfall. This is an unacceptable way to balance an agency budget,” Staneski said via a press release.
The announcement followed a series of six public hearings around the state on the proposed rail and bus fare increases. Almost 400 people commented on the proposed fares.
The rail fare increase will apply to the New Haven Line and Shore Line East on tickets purchased for travel to or from stations in Connecticut and will take effect Dec. 1. In addition to the fare increase, the current 2 percent discount on “Mail and Ride” tickets will be eliminated and the discount on the combined monthly rail ticket and unlimited-ride MetroCard will be reduced from 4 percent to 2 percent beginning with the purchase of December tickets.
Meanwhile in Orange, plans are moving forward to bring a train station and transit oriented district to fruition. Currently the nearest stations available to Orange residents are in Milford and West Haven.