February 20, 2018

CTDOT Announces Public Hearings on Proposed Fare Increases and Service Reductions

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) recently announced a series of seven public hearings to gather input on proposed bus and rail fare increases and service reductions. If approved, a rail fare increase would take effect in three phases – 10 percent on July 1, 2018, 5 percent on July 1, 2020, and 5 percent on July 1, 2021, for a cumulative total of 21.28 percent. A 14.3 percent, or 25-cent, bus fare increase would take effect on July 1, 2018. Rail service reductions would also take effect on or about July 1, 2018; no bus service changes are proposed at this time. A $1 increase in the car fare for the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury and Chester-Hadlyme ferries is also proposed, for which public information meetings will be held.

The rail service proposals include significant reductions to rail services on the New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branch lines on the New Haven Line, and on Shore Line East. The main line New Haven Line service would largely remain unchanged.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) claims that these actions are necessary due to an estimated $60 million budget shortfall for transit and rail accounts. The implementation of any service and fare changes are subject to public input and contingent on action by the General Assembly to ensure the long-term solvency of the Special Transportation Fund which is supported by the gasoline tax and other revenues, and pays for CTDOT operations.

At these hearings, CTDOT will provide information and accept public comments about the fare and service proposals and the Service and Fare Equity Analysis (SAFE). The SAFE process evaluates the proposed changes to determine if they will cause a disparate impact on minority populations or a disproportionate burden to low income populations. The SAFE analysis and additional details on the fares and service cuts will be published at www.ct.gov/dot/farecomments as they become available.

Below you will find the schedule of upcoming public hearings:

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 – 5 pm to 8 pm

NEW HAVEN

New Haven Hall of Records, Room G-2

200 Orange Street

New Haven, CT

(Snow date: Monday, March 5, 2018 – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm)

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 – 5 pm to 8 pm

WATERBURY

Waterbury City Hall

235 Grand Street

Waterbury, CT 06702

(Snow date: Thursday, March 8, 2018 – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm)

Thursday, February 22, 2018 – 4 pm to 7 pm

HARTFORD

Capital Community College

950 Main Street

Hartford, CT 06103

(Snow dates: Monday, February 26, 2018 – 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, or Wednesday, March. 7, 2018- 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Hartford Public Library, Center for Contemporary Culture

500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103)

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 – 5 pm to 8 pm

STAMFORD

UCONN Stamford Campus Auditorium

One University Place

Stamford, CT 06904

(Snow date: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm)

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 – 5 pm to 8 pm

NEW LONDON

New London City Hall

Council Chambers

181 State Street

New London, CT 06320

(Snow date: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm)

Thursday, March 1, 2018 – 4 pm to 7 pm

SPRINGFIELD

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission

60 Congress Street

Springfield MA 01104

(Snow date: Monday, March 5, 2018 – 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm)

Monday, March 5, 2018 – 4 pm to 7 pm

NEW BRITAIN

New Britain Police Department Community Room

10 Chestnut Street

New Britain, CT 06051

(Snow date: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

The following is the schedule of informational meetings for Connecticut River ferry services.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 – 4 pm to 7 pm

ROCKY HILL (Ferries only)

Rocky Hill Town Hall

761 Old Main Street

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

(Snow date: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm)

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 – 4 pm to 7 pm

CHESTER (Ferries only)

Chester Town Hall

Conference Room

203 Middlesex Avenue

Chester, CT 06412

(Snow date: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm)

Individuals are encouraged to provide verbal or written comment at any of the hearings. The hearing facilities are fully accessible to persons with disabilities. Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department of Transportation at (203) 497-3374 at least 5 business days prior to the hearing. Persons having a hearing and/or speech disability may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). Language assistance is provided at no cost to the individual making the request and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.

The public comment period for the proposed service and fare changes will run until March 9, 2018. CTDOT encourages all members of the public and transit and rail riders to participate in one or more of the scheduled public hearings and/or submit written comments to COMMENT ON PROPOSED FARE AND SERVICE CHANGES, Connecticut Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546 or dot.farecomments@ct.gov. CTDOT will review and consider all comments received during the public comment period and take those comments into consideration when approving the final service and fare proposal.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at (860) 240-8700 and devin.carney@housegop.ct.gov

Sincerely,