September 2, 2016

Rutigliano Asks Residents to Sign the ‘No Fare Increase’ Petition to Stop Metro North Fare Hikes

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TRUMBULL- State Representatives David Rutigliano (R-123), Laura Devlin (R-134) and Ben McGorty (R-122) along with other Fairfield County legislators are starting a petition drive to stop the proposed five percent Metro-North rail fare hike.

The legislators’ ‘NO FARE INCREASE’ Metro North petition requests that the fare increase which would hit all parts of the Metro-North New Haven rail line be halted and instead other savings be found in the state budget.

One example of savings instead of the rail fare hike, according to the Fairfield legislators, would be to eliminate the admissions tax exemptions for venues including the XL Center, Webster Bank Arena, and Harbor Yard which would equal the amount the same amount projected to be raised from the fare hike.

The Trumbull legislators plan to board Metro North stations to collect petition signatures from area train commuters. The petitions will be presented by the legislators to the Department of Transportation at their agency fare increase public hearing in Stamford on September 14^th.

“Governor Malloy and the majority party cut the Metro North subsidy in last year’s state budget now they want to impose the fare hikes on rail commuters to make up the difference, shame on them. Many Trumbull residents ride Metro North to commute back and forth to work and they tell me they are not getting any improvement in their transit service or experience in return for this increase. These commuters have no other option and are left holding the bag, that is not acceptable,” said Rep. Rutigliano.

Rep. Devlin, who was a fifteen year daily Metro North rider said, “When is enough, enough. Fairfield residents continue to act as the ATM machine for the state. The state budget opposed by the House Republicans but passed by the majority party and signed by the Governor, inexplicably cut the Metro North subsidy.”

Members of the public can fill out the online petition at www.nofareincrease.com.

The two public hearings closest to Metro North commuters in Fairfield County are:

Wednesday September 14, 2016 – 4pm to 9pm
STAMFORD
UCONN Stamford Campus Auditorium
One University Place
Stamford, CT

Thursday September 15, 2016 – 4pm to 9pm
NEW HAVEN
New Haven Hall of Records, Room G-2
200 Orange Street
New Haven, CT