STAMFORD—The Connecticut Department of Transportation will hold public hearings Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 29 and 30 in Stamford and New Haven regarding Metro-North ticket sales and fare adjustments proposed by the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA).
These changes would affect Connecticut customers using New Haven Line commuter rail service. These adjustments are part of a larger proposal by the MTA that would increase fares for New York customers.
On the New Haven Line, MTA proposes the following adjustments:
- Reduce the time period during which one-way and round-trip tickets must be used to as few as 7 days including the date of purchase; exclusions may apply for special event and package tickets.
- Reduce the time period during which all other non-commutation ticket types must be used to as few as three months including the date of purchase.
- Reduce the redemption period for all unused or partially used tickets to as few as 30 days after the date of purchase.
- Impose a service charge of up to $15 for redemption of each unused or partially used ticket.
- Reduce discount to as little as 2% on Mail&Ride fares for joint Monthly Commutation/Monthly Unlimited Ride Tickets.
- Eliminate or reduce discount on other Mail&Ride fares and all WebTicket fares.
- Round up to nearest whole-dollar amount on Supplemental Step-up and Ride Extension fares.
MTA expects to implement these adjustments on or about Jan. 1, 2011. Information regarding these proposals and public hearings scheduled for New York is available on Metro-North’s Web site at www.mta.info
The public hearings for Connecticut will be:
Wednesday, Sept. 29, University of Connecticut Stamford Campus, Gen Re Auditorium, One University Place, Stamford.
Thursday, Sept. 30, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Rail Operations, Conference Room A, Union Station, 4th Floor West, 50 Union Avenue, New Haven.
The hearings will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. ConnDOT and MTA representatives will be present to listen to comments. Registration for people wishing to speak will remain open until 8:30 p.m. A five minute time limit will be imposed for speaking at the hearing.
Written statements or exhibits concerning the proposals may be submitted at the hearing; by e-mail to dot.farecomments@ct.gov ; or mailed or delivered to: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Rail Operations, Conference Room A, Union Station, 4th Floor West, 50 Union Avenue, New Haven.
Written statements or exhibits must be submitted to ConnDOT no later than Oct. 14, 2010. Such written statements or exhibits must be reproducible to black and white and on paper not to exceed 8 1/2″ x 11″ in size. Written statements and exhibits will be given the same consideration as oral statements.
Deaf and hearing impaired persons wishing to attend this hearing and requiring an interpreter must make arrangements by contacting the Department of Transportation’s Office of Communications (Voice only) at (860) 594-3062 or TTY at 860-594-3090 at least five working days prior to the hearing.