Rail and bus fare price hikes go into effect in December, following six public hearings around Connecticut.
Starting Dec. 1, train fares will increase by 6 percent, including a previously approved 1 percent increase, state Department of Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker said. Starting Dec. 4, bus fares will go up 16.7 percent, or 25 cents on a single one-way CTtransit bus trip.
The fare increases are intended to sustain budget requirements and maintain bus and rail service statewide, Redeker said.
Nearly 400 people commented on the proposed fares at public hearings. While some opposed a fare increase of any kind, there were no recommendations to cut service, Redeker said
The rail fare increase will apply to the New Haven Line and Shore Line East on tickets purchased for travel to or from stations in Connecticut. The bus fare increase will apply to the CTtransit service areas in Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, Bristol, New Britain, Stamford, Wallingford and Meriden, as well as CTfastrak.
For rail, a 2 percent discount on “Mail and Ride” tickets will be eliminated and the discount on the combined monthly rail ticket and unlimited-ride MetroCard will be reduced from 4 percent to 2 percent.
