First Of 6 Hearings To Be Held On Proposed Rail, Bus Fare Increases In Connecticut

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The first of six public hearings on planned rail and bus fare increases will be held in Old Saybrook.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is proposing a 5 percent fare increase on the New Haven commuter rail line, including the New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branches and Shore Line East.

It would take effect Dec. 1, generating $5.9 million to help cover budget cuts.

Commuter advocate Jim Cameron believes no matter how loud the outcry, fares will rise.

"People will rant and rave, and the officials from the DOT will sit there and they'll take notes but it's not going to change things," Cameron told WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau. "It's going to be political theater with a really sad ending."

Thursday's meeting will be held at Old Saybrook Town Hall from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and later from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Additional hearings are planned in Hartford on Sept. 7, Meriden and Waterbury on Sept. 13, Stamford on Sept. 14 and New Haven on Sept. 15.

"I'm telling folks that are concerned about this fare increase to not only show up at the public hearings, but to call their state representative, their state senator, and say why did you leave a $192 million hole in the budget that the governor has to fill with this fare increase," Cameron said.

DOT is also considering a 25-cent increase in the standard one-way fare on state-wide CTtransit bus services.

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