(March 11, 1999): The CT Rail Commuter Council met in executive session last night and heard more from CDOT about the pending fare increase.

• Public hearings on an average 4.5% fare increase will be scheduled some time in the first two weeks of April. The hearings will have as little as ten days advance notice.
• In some cases the fare increase request will exceed 4.5% due to rounding and technicalities with Metro-North.
• There is little chance this time that in-state (intra-state) riders can avoid a fare increase.
• The Council voted to NOT approve of this fare increase. Instead, the Council is going to encourage riders to lobby their lawmakers in Hartford to find the necessary funds for the CDOT budget to avoid this and future fare jumps.

What can you do now? Tell your fellow riders about this update. Give them our website address and ask them to register for our e-mail alerts. Get ready for a fight over this funding issue.

When public hearing dates are set, we'll let you know. These hearings are usually very poorly attended. If you care about this issue, we need you to turn out. Only by showing our numbers can we have any impact on this issue.

Working with other interested parties (SACIA, SWRPA, SCAC), the CT Rail Commuter Council will be making an organized outreach effort to Hartford. Our message: better funding for the CDOT!

Jim Cameron

Vice Chmn.

CT Rail Commuter Council

and Legislative Appointee

Southwest Corridor Action Council (SCAC)