Connecticut”™s commuter rail service to and from Manhattan could be severely impacted if state lawmakers slash the funding used to operate the New Haven Line.
According to a Bloomberg report, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) may reduce service if Connecticut lawmakers approve of a budget with a smaller subsidy for the transit agency. The MTA”™s 2023 budget includes a $267 million subsidy payment from Connecticut”™s Department of Transportation, but Connecticut legislators are debating a potential $38 million reduction of that subsidy.
The MTA leadership warned that less money for the transit agency could result in a 15% reduction in rail service.
“It would be very difficult, if not impossible, to hold peak-hour trains” said Cathy Rinaldi, president of MTA”™s Metro-North Railroad, during the transit agency”™s monthly board meeting.
“So, there would potentially be cuts in the peak, which is obviously extremely concerning given the ridership that we”™re seeing in the peak.”
The New Haven line served 6.3 million passengers in the first three months of this year, which is nearly 50% more than the same period during 2022. However, the MTA acknowledged that ridership from January through April was about 35% below pre-pandemic levels ”“ and Connecticut”™s budget proposals are based on ridership numbers and travel patterns.
