Metro-North riders in Connecticut may face a potential increase of up to 10% in their fares, as per the plans announced by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York.
Connecticut rail commuters are bracing for a two-step 5% fare hike in the coming years. The proposed increases, set for September 2022 and July 2026, are a response to a funding gap created by the state's 2026–2027 biennial budget.
The first increase, scheduled for September 1, 2022, is yet to be finalized. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) has proposed this fare hike to cover the increasing costs of maintaining current rail services.
The second increase, slated for July 2026, could see an optional additional 5% fare rise. This proposed increase is expected to generate an additional $16.1 million in 2026, increasing to $20.5 million thereafter, according to ConnDOT's estimates.
The proposed revenue from these fare hikes will help maintain the existing service levels without cutting the number of trains on the schedule. The funding is intended to avoid service reductions and offset rising operational and workforce expenses.
The proposed fare hikes apply only to trips that start or end at a Connecticut station. ConnDOT, which is responsible for most of the railroad's assets on its side of the state border, shares operations of the New Haven Line with the MTA's Metro-North Railroad.
Not all committee members are in favour of these proposed fare hikes. Committee member Gerard Bringmann argues against fighting the proposed September 2022 fare hike, while Midori Valdivia and Neal Zuckerman have expressed opposition to the 5% increase in 2026. Bringmann, however, questions the justification for opposing the fare hike while also accepting a potential 4% increase in 2025 for commuter rail, subway, bus, and tolls.
The full board is scheduled to vote on the fare hike on Wednesday. The MTA's planned 2025 fare hike for commuter rail, subway, bus, and tolls, however, is not mentioned in the earlier bullet points.
Sixty-five percent of the rail cars operating on the New Haven line belong to Connecticut, identifiable by a red stripe running down their side. These rail cars, along with the stations, are owned, operated, and maintained by ConnDOT.
The MTA board's joint Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road committee has moved the fare hike's approval to Wednesday's full-board meeting. As the decision approaches, commuters await the outcome, hoping for a stable and affordable rail service in the future.
- In an effort to cover the rising costs of maintaining public-transit services, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) has proposed a two-step 5% fare hike for rail commuters.
- The proposed increases, due in September 2022 and July 2026, are anticipated to generate additional revenue for the transportation industry, aiding in maintaining service levels without cutting trains, and offsetting operational expenses.
- Financial institutions, investors, and businesses operating within the state may be impacted by these fare hikes, as they could influence the affordability and usage of public-transit services, potentially affecting commuting patterns and workforce mobility.
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