CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: December 13, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Modest Rail Fare Increase

Will Take Effect January 1, 2013

      The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) reminds passengers that the second of three modest fare increases will go into effect on January 1, 2013. Monthly tickets on sale for January will reflect the new fares. The new fares will take effect on Shore Line East and New Haven Line rail services.  There will be no fare increase on bus services.

      “This modest fare increase is the second in eight years,” stated 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 rail fare increases began on January 1, 2012. Rail fares were set to increase by about four 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 into active service, rail fares will increase an additional 1.00 to 1.25 percent on top of the four percent base fare increase – a compounded average increase of 5.04% for January 1, 2013, across rail fare types.

      Commissioner Redeker stated, “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.”