ConnDOT Sets Public Hearing On Proposed Fare Hikes

Have an opinion on the fare increase ? You'll have a chance to share it with state officials later this month.

On Tuesday, the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced a series of public hearings on fare hikes planned for rail and bus systems across the state.

Locally, hearings are set for Tuesday, Aug. 23 at UConn Stamford's General Re Auditorium (1 University Pl.). Two sessions are scheduled, one from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and a second from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. A full calendar can be found below.

The possibility of fare increases  in a balanced budget proposal put forward by Gov. Dannel Malloy. That plan called for a 15 percent rise in Metro-North fares on the New Haven line.

ConnDOT now puts the proposed hike at about 16.4 percent, followed by an additional 1 percent increase each Jan. 1 through 2018. The initial hike would take place on or after Nov. 1 of this year.

Shore Line East, which faces a similar fare increase, would see its weekend service eliminated under the plan.

ConnDOT has yet to publish complete fare tables for the proposed rail hikes. Neither set of fares has been raised since 2005.

This month's hearings will also address possible service cuts and a 10 percent fare hike proposed for local bus systems across the state, including those serving the Stamford area.

Under ConnDOT's plan, base fare would go from $1.25 to $1.35, senior and disabled fare would increase from $.60 to $.65, and ADA paratransit fare would rise from $2.50 to $2.70.

PUBLIC HEARING DETAILS

Room 504

New Britain City Hall

27 West Main Street

4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

General Re Auditorium

University of Connecticut, Stamford Branch

One University Place

4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Room G-2

Hall of Records

200 Orange Street

Noon to 2:00 p.m.

4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

"X" Room

Hartford Public Library

500 Main Street

Willene's Place

Meriden Senior Center

22 West Main Street

2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Downstairs Hearing Room

Silas Bronson Library

267 Grand Street