Metro-North Ticket Prices to Rise by 14 Coffees

Come January, a monthly pass on Metro North will be about .

As many commuters now know, the Connecticut Department of Transportation will raise fares over the course of several calendar years. Under the recently announced plan Metro-North New Haven Line riders and Shore Line East riders will see a 15.25 percent hike over next seven years. And CTTransit bus riders will face a 12 percent increase over next three years.

After holding several public hearings, at which most commuters lodged their disfavor with a fare hike, the department decided to increase the fare 15.25 percent rather than 16.4 percent. Still people are upset.

During on hearing, Ryan Lynch, senior planner and Connecticut coordinator for the non-profit Tri-State Campaign, said jacking up the price is “simply the wrong way to fix the State’s budget woes and promote sustainable transportation.”

Lynch said the hike coincides with a time when ridership on both CTTransit is up 3 percent and Metro-North is up 2.7 percent.

However, according to the state DOT, operating costs have risen 12 percent since 2005 and rates have remained the same. If it’s to keep current service levels it must increase rates. 

State Rep. TR Rowe, a Republican who represents Trumbull in the 123rd House District, has many constituents who take mass transit to work. He greeted the news with resignation.

“We talk about encouraging people to get off the roads and take mass transit,” Rowe said. “But the fares haven’t been increased in a number of years and it’s an expensive system to operate. We did worse things this year in the legislature, but still I am not entirely happy about it.”

This means most train travelers will have to pay 75-cents more per peak ticket. Or, if they have a monthly pass they will pay between $13 and $21 more.

Given that a medium hot coffee at Dunkin Donuts averages around $1.49 a cup (prices vary according to location) that translates to about 14 coffees. Or, if a $1.96 grande at Starbuck’s is preferred, about 10 cups.

“If you have an hour on the train coffee is almost a necessity,” Rowe said. “You shouldn’t have to give up Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks.”

Train riders aren’t the only ones affected. The plan calls for an increase in base fare for CTTransit bus riders. Tickets will cost 1.30 per ride rather than $1.25 starting in January.

In a recent a recent blog Jim Cameron, Darien resident and commuter advocate, said the hikes are unnecessary. He said there are several ways to make up for increased operating expenses, including doing a better job of checking passengers for tickets.