Connecticut Rail Fare Increase January '13

(via the Trains.com News Wire)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Connecticut Department of Transportation has told commuters that the second of three fare increases will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013. Monthly tickets on sale for January will reflect the new fares. The new fares will take effect on the Shore Line East and New Haven lines. There will be no fare increase on bus services.

“This modest fare increase is the second in eight years,” said DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “During that time, operating expenses grew by 12 percent due to inflation. While it is never easy to raise fares in economic times such as these, the alternative — a reduction in service — would have been more difficult for Connecticut commuters.”

The series of three fare increases began on Jan. 1, 2012. Rail fares were set to increase by about 4 percent at the beginning of 2012, 2013, and 2014. As part of legislation enacted to have passengers help contribute toward the new M-8 rail cars entering service, rail fares will increase an additional 1.0 to 1.25 percent on top of the 4 percent base fare increase.

Redeker said, “The new fare structure is reasonable and will more evenly share operating costs between our passengers and taxpayers. We are also pleased that we were able to come up with this alternative to much more aggressive fare increases or service reductions.”

Fares on the New Haven Line cover approximately 70 percent of the cost to operate the service between New Haven and New York City. The balance is split between Connecticut and New York, at 65 percent and 35 percent respectively.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation also announced it has donated two out-of-service commuter cars to the Connecticut Military Department for use in disaster training drills for first responders. The cars have been delivered to Camp Hartell in Windsor Locks, Conn., where the Military Department operates the New England Disaster Training Center. The cars, which ran on the New Haven Line for almost two decades, are very similar to the cars used today and will provide “real life” experience for trainees.