Bus, Rail Fares Could Go Up as Early as November

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to increase fares and reduce services for its public bus and rail transit systems.

Before adopting such measures, however, the DOT will hold a series of hearings to solicit public comment on the proposed changes. If approved, fare increases would take effect on or after Nov. 1, 2011.

Hearings in the Greater New Haven area will take place at the following locations and times:

• Hall of Records, Room G-2, 200 Orange St., New Haven, 4 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24
• Willene’s Place, Meriden Senior Center, 22 West Main St., Meriden, 2 to 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 26.
• Public hearings also will be held this month in Hartford, New Britain, Stamford and Waterbury.

Here are some of the proposed changes:

• An approximately 10 percent increase in CTTransit bus fares. The basic fare for a one-way local trip would climb from $1.25 to $1.35. Senior and disabled fare would rise from 60 cents to 65 cents. Youth fare would increase from $1 to $1.10.
• The cost of an all-day local bus pass would increase from $3.25 to $3.50. Three-day, five-day and seven-day passes would rise respectively from $7.50 to $8, $11.25 to $12.25, and $15 to $16.25.
• A 10-ride local bus ticket would increase from $11.25 to $12.25
• A 31-day local bus pass, currently $45, would go up to $48.50.
• All Greater New Haven holiday bus service for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter would be discontinued.
• New Haven’s Commuter Connection Central service would be discontinued.
• Service from New Haven to North Branford, offered now via the L Route bus, would be discontinued.
• The weekday and Saturday J7 bus route to Milford/Post mall would be replaced by J6 service to Bayshore Terminus.
• Rail fares would climb by approximately 16.4 percent on or after Nov. 1, 2011. After that, fares are subject to increase another 1 percent or more between 2013 and 2018.
• For example, the proposal calls for a one-way Shore Line East ticket from New Haven to Madison that now costs $4 to rise to $4.75 on or after Nov. 1. That fare would remain steady until 2017, when it would increase to $5.