Rep. Buckbee Discusses New Milford Commuter Rail with Transportation Committee

HARTFORD – On Monday afternoon the Transportation Committee heard testimony on several pieces of legislation including Senate Bill 155: An Act Concerning Rail Infrastructure Improvements, which has been drafted by the committee with the intention to improve Connecticut’s overall rail service. State Representative Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) took the opportunity to speak with the membership of the committee about the inclusion of his initiative to re-introduce commuter rail service to New Milford within the proposal.

“I will always take the opportunity to speak in favor of greater transportation options for residents, visitors, and employees who commute in and out of New Milford. I appreciated the committee indulging me Monday afternoon and allowing me to express why our district deserves a piece of the $4.6 billion tax dollars that have been invested to the state’s rail infrastructure within the past decade,” explained Rep. Buckbee, who has a longstanding record of supporting the diversification transportation options for his community and beyond.

Specifically, Rep. Buckbee asked that the legislature to conduct a study of “hybrid-trains” and the potential to run a commuter version of them on the existing portion of train tracks that carry freight through New Milford. The implementation of an updated commuter rail service would alleviate the congestion on the roadways in the Greater Danbury Area. Additionally, it would provide a direct path to achieve transit-oriented development growth. For instance, visitors will have easier access to recreational places like Candlewood Lake and Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, while also providing another means for individuals to travel to and from work. Rep. Buckbee envisions the commuter line running from New Milford to New York City.

“Investigating new ways to provide transportation options, while considering the environmental impact is incredibly important to me. Our agricultural industry is something that drives tourism and our economy on its own. The use of environmentally friendly hybrid-trains will lessen the negative impacts that older locomotives have created, preserving the very institutions that define our community,” explained Rep. Buckbee.

During the discussion, it was a consensus among the committee that access to commuter rail is not equally available to all Connecticut residents. According to Rep. Buckbee, implementing a revamped commuter rail option for New Milford residents would be a step in the right direction toward providing fair transportation options to all.

The committee will now consider all public comment put forth on the legislation. They have until March 20, 2020, to make changes to the existing bill language and act to determine if the bill will continue through the legislative process this year.

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