Sen. Boucher Declares Victory for Commuters after Proposed Fare Increases and Schedule Reductions Cancelled
May 17, 2018State Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) today declared victory for Connecticut commuters who were facing proposed fare increases and service reductions starting July 1. The recently-passed bipartisan budget eliminates those changes without tolls or tax increases.
“First we defeated tolls. Now, our newly-passed bipartisan budget eliminates the need to charge rail and bus commuters more money, while at the same time reducing or eliminating service routes,” Sen. Boucher said. “Commuters, who came out by the hundreds to decry the DOT’s and Governor’s threatened service cuts and fare increases can breathe a sigh of relief. As the Co-Chair of the Transportation Committee, I am proud that I was able to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to restore funding to the Special Transportation Fund without placing further burdens on taxpayers and commuters. In fact, the budget results in fund surpluses in each of the next five years. This allows us to maintain current services and invest in infrastructure.”
The Governor and Department of Transportation said that the Special Transportation Fund (STF) would become insolvent without an infusion of cash from tolls, tax increases, and new fees. A lack of new revenue sources, they claimed, would require a 10 percent fare increase for rail commuters, a 14 percent fare increase for bus riders, and service reductions on several rail lines and transit districts beginning July 1, 2018.
Sen. Boucher said the budget passed by the General Assembly stabilized the STF allowing for the cancellation of these increases and service reductions.
“By implementing some of the Republican Prioritize Progress transportation plan, we are able to make transportation infrastructure a priority for the state without tolls or tax increases,” she said. “This will help us put Connecticut’s fiscal house in order, attract and grow businesses, and stop the outflow of jobs and residents to other states. We can once again make Connecticut a place people and businesses want to call home.”
Sen. Boucher represents the communities of Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.