Metro-North to hike fares 10 percent

A Metro-North train during the snow storm Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, in Stratford. A Metro-North train during the snow storm Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, in Stratford. Photo: Ned Gerard, Hearst Connecticut Media Buy photo Photo: Ned Gerard, Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Metro-North to hike fares 10 percent 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

HARTFORD — Metro-North commuters are facing a 10 percent fare hike this year and reduced service to cover ongoing shortfalls in transportation funding from the General Assembly.

Judd Everhart, a spokesman for the Department of Transportation, confirmed DOT is planning to hold public hearings on rate increases in the coming weeks, the first step toward higher prices.

He said the department is proposing to both raise fares and reduce service in response to reduced state funding.

“We have been saying that without action by the General Assembly to ensure the long-term solvency of the Special Transportation Fund, we will need to raise fares and reduce service,” Everhart said.

“Because fare increases require public hearings in advance, we will be announcing a schedule of public hearings next week on proposed fare increases for all transit services [bus and rail] in Connecticut,” Everhart said.

The proposal includes a 10 percent Metro-North fare hike this year, beginning in July, followed by 5 percent increases in 2020 and in 2021.

Additionally, bus fares would increase 25 cents, weekday off-peak rail service would be reduced on the Shore Line East, Danbury, Waterbury and New Canaan branch lines and weekend service on those lines would be eliminated. Transit districts would see a 5 percent reduction in funding.

Rail commuters have faced fair increases for the last seven years — including a 1 percent increase that took effect in January.

“Commuters will be justifiably outraged at this proposed fare hike and service cut,” said Jim Cameron, founder of the Commuter Action Group and a Hearst Connecticut Media columnist.

“But their anger is best directed at members of the Legislature who have ignored this issue of re-funding the Special Transportation Fund,” Cameron said. “They created this nightmare, not the governor. Yet, in an election year I’m still counting on one hand the number of lawmakers honest enough to tell constituents the bad news: we either need tolls or taxes to replenish the STF. There is no more ‘free ride.’”

Jim Gildea, president of the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council, called the proposed rate hikes a “sad day” for Connecticut.

“I’m afraid it may be just a first step,” Gildea said “While rate hikes are never good, service reductions are also devastating. These increases and service reductions fall squarely on our state legislators and all commuters need to rise up and remember this on Election Day. Commuters will not forget.”

State Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton and co-chairwoman of the transportation committee, said she plans to introduce legislation this year allowing the Legislature to have final say over Metro-North rate hikes.

“I heard a rumor about this,” Boucher said. “We are not able to assess this right now. They say they are running out of money, but they spent it for state benefits, parking garages, bus routes and stadiums.”

DOT did not respond to questions about whether officials would cancel the proposed rate hikes if the General Assembly authorized sufficient funding. After holding public hearings, DOT currently decides whether to raise fares.