Commuters Sound Off At New Haven Line Fare Hike Hearing

STAMFORD, CT (WCBS 880) - Fares are likely going up on Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line, but by how much? Commuters got their say at two hearings in Stamford on Tuesday.

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After commuting thirteen years from Connecticut to New York City, Rich Roseman told hearing officers he's never been so fired up about anything as he is about the idea of paying a huge fare increase.

"The ballpark for this increase should be comparable to what people get for raises these days. If they get raises at all or are fortunate enough to have a job, and that's in the 3 percent range," he said.

As for the prospect of paying higher fares for the new M-8 rail cars, he said, "Finding the new rail cars is like seeing a unicorn right? You see one go by and you never see it again for weeks on end."

Ryan Lynch says he wants Gov. Dan Malloy to instead use highway tolls and/or a higher gas tax in conjunction with smaller fare hikes.

"Transit riders are not the only ones who benefit from good transit service. Motorists and businesses do as well," he said.

Connecticut DOT commissioner Jim Redeker said listening to commuters makes the biggest impact on him when it comes to the recommendation he will finally send to the governor.

Another pair of hearings will be held today at the Hall of Records, Room G-2 at 200 Orange Street in New Haven from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Additional hearings are as follows:

Thursday, August 25: Hartford
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Hartford Public Library, "X" Room
500 Main Street, Hartford

Friday, August 26: Meriden
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Willene's Place, Meriden Senior Center
22 West Main Street, Meriden

Tuesday, August 30: Waterbury
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Downstairs Hearing Room, Silas Bronson Library
267 Grand Street, Waterbury

Can't make it to one of the hearings? Share your thoughts on the fare hikes below. Are they fair?