Rell Argues Against Rate Hikes For Metro North

Connecticut is prepared to fight for discounts for rail commuters. Governor Jodi Rell says proposed fare hikes on Metro North threaten the state’s push to promote public transportation. WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the Metro-North line between New Haven and New York City, has been struggling financially for some time. Now, it’s announced that it plans to eliminate fare discounts that currently apply to tickets bought online or through the mail. The MTA estimates that that change on the New Haven line alone would save almost a million dollars. It’s also considering imposing a processing fee of $15 on ticket refunds, and restricting the time that 10 trip tickets remain valid.

In a letter to DoT Commissioner Jeffrey Parker, Governor Rell urges him to oppose the changes, saying they’ll have a negative impact on commuters. She says they come at a time when the state is making unprecedented investments in equipment and operations to make the service more attractive and move commuters out of their cars and onto rail.

The DoT is the body that must implement any changes mandated by the MTA. There’s a public hearing on the proposed changes in New Haven tonight to be held at Union Station. The DoT also says it will consider written submissions from the public.

For WNPR, I'm Harriet Jones.