DOT to Host Public Hearings on Rail Service/Changes and Gas Tax Proposal by Gov. Lamont

CTDOT Proposed Bus and Rail Fare and Service Changes

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will be holding a series of virtual public hearings on Shore Line East and other rail services and fare changes that were made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the hearing will also include proposed service changes to the CTtransit bus service and fare changes on CTtransit Express bus routes. Proposed bus changes include service changes to CTtransit Express bus service to/from Hartford and CTtransit New Haven local service; and fare changes for two Hartford Express routes.

At these hearings, CTDOT will provide information and accept public comments on the service and fare proposals.

Hearing Format

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will be conducted virtually using the Zoom online platform and toll-free conference call feature. The public hearings will also be live streamed via Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube (links will be posted in advance of the public hearing).

Registration is encouraged; however, it is only required for those would wish to provide a comment during the hearing. To register, please visit www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges or call (860) 597-8226 and leave a voicemail with your full name and contact information. Registration will be accepted up to the day of the hearing and will remain open for the duration of the hearing.

Hearing Dates

• Tuesday, May 18 from 6:00pm – 9:00 pm
• Wednesday, May 19 from 6:00pm – 9:00 pm
• Thursday, May 20 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm
• Tuesday, May 25 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm

Governor Lamont and his Colleagues are Proposing Another Gas Tax

While I support efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, I do not support Governor Lamont’s new plan which could see gas prices increase up to 26 cents more per gallon.

Connecticut currently collects a $10 ‘Clean Air Act Fee‘ from the registration of almost every motor vehicle (electric vehicles are excluded). This fee was intended to help reduce carbon emissions while improving air quality (similar to Governor Lamont’s new plan). Unfortunately, in 2008 this fund was completely wiped out and the account was dissolved – but the fee is still being collected.

More than 60% of the fees collected are placed into the General Fund. Once in  the General Fund, the fees can be used for a variety of items that have little to no impact on the reduction of carbon emissions or improving air quality. The remaining 40% goes into the Special Transportation Fund.

Instead of using these tax dollars for their intended purpose; to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, the governor has proposed a brand-new regressive gas tax that will drive up the cost-of-living in Connecticut.

This new gas tax will be implemented as a revenue mechanism to fund the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). The program is designed to achieve a zero-carbon environment through a series of policy changes and mandated caps on Connecticut suppliers, ultimately driving up the prices you pay at the pumps. Its possible gas prices could go up by at least 17 cents per gallon and as high as 26 cents with funds being used to fund special projects like charging stations, bike paths, and hiking trails.

Connecticut residents already pay roughly 54 cents per gallon in state and federal gas taxes [learn more here.] If approved, TCI would amount to a fourth gas tax controlled not by the legislature, but by a bureaucratic “cap allowances” auction process that occurs outside the eye of the general public.