MTA fare hikes won’t affect Conn. riders

Despite some reports to the contrary, fare increases for Metro North riders announced Dec. 19 by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will not affect Connecticut riders, said Jim Cameron, chairman of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council.

Under an increase previously announced by the state Department of Transportation (DOT), Metro North fares in Connecticut on the New Haven Line and Shore Line East will increase by an average of 5.04 percent starting Jan. 1. The fare increases won’t impact bus services.

The hike is the second of three scheduled rail fare increases enacted by Connecticut DOT, with the first having taken effect Jan. 1, 2012.

At a Dec. 19 meeting, the MTA board of directors approved fare increases for the New York City subway system and MTA bridges and tunnels, as well as for portions of its Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Railroad commuter lines. The commuter rail fare increases average about 9 percent.

Cameron said in a Dec. 20 email that the MTA’s action “only affects riders in New York state,” noting that Connecticut DOT is solely responsible for determining Metro North fares in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Rail Commuter Council is an independent organization created by the state legislature to advocate for commuters.