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Kupchick, Devlin Call For Legislative Say On Metro-North Fare Increases

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Fairfield lawmakers sent a bill to the state House that would stop Metro-North fare increases without legislative approval after a recent 5 percent increase in prices.

State Reps. Laura Devlin, left, and Brienda Kupchick are calling for legislative say on Metro-North rates.

State Reps. Laura Devlin, left, and Brienda Kupchick are calling for legislative say on Metro-North rates.

Photo Credit: Contributed photo

House Bill 5773, An Act Requiring Legislative Approval to Increase Rail or Bus Fare or Reduce Any Transit Subsidy Program, proposed by State Reps. Brenda Kupchick of Fairfield and Laura Devlin who represents Fairfield and Trumbull, would require legislative approval in order to increase rail or bus fare or reduce any transit subsidy program.

This legislation comes after Kupchick and Devlin joined other Fairfield County legislators in running a petition in opposition to the Department of Transportation imposed fare increases on Metro-North, CTTransit and Shore Line East. 

The increase outsizes inflation and adversely affect residents, the legislators said. The petition did not stop Gov. Dannel Malloy's executive order to increase the fares.

“Making legislators accountable for their votes and protecting commuters by creating a more deliberate, fair and public process for imposing future fare increases,” said Kupchick. “It is my hope this proposal is seriously considered and voted out of committee and given a chance to become law.

“Our rail commuters deserve a safe, reliable and affordable transportation system. The General Assembly should have final say over any Metro-North fare hike," said Devlin.

Devlin serves on the legislature’s Transportation committee.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation imposed a 5 percent fare hike for commuters using Metro-North and Shoreline East trains late last year in order to balance the budget after state cuts. 

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