The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced four public hearings to gather input on rail service and fare changes that were previously made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the temporary suspension of peak rail fares and the proposed elimination of the Mail & Ride fare program. The hearings will also cover proposed service changes to CTtransit bus service and minor fare changes on two CTtransit Express bus routes.
Service changes to trains on the New Haven Line, New Canaan Line, Danbury Line, Waterbury Line, Shore Line East, and Hartford Line were previously implemented due to sudden and significant declines in ridership. Proposed bus changes include service changes to CTtransit Express bus service in the greater Hartford area and expansion of CTtransit New Haven area service; and minor fare changes for CTtransit Express routes 950 and 912.
At these hearings, CTDOT will provide information and accept public comments on the service and fare changes and the Service and Fare Equity (SAFE) analysis. The SAFE analysis evaluates the changes to determine if they will cause a disparate impact to minority persons or a disproportionate burden to people with low incomes. The service and fare changes, many of which have already been implemented, may be viewed on CTDOT’s website.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will be conducted virtually using the Zoom online platform and a toll-free conference call feature. All public hearings will be recorded and published online for later viewing. The public hearings will also be live streamed using Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube. The following is the schedule of hearings:
- Tuesday, May 18, 2021 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 19, 2021 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Thursday, May 20, 2021 (Noon) 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 25, 2021 (Noon) 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Registration is encouraged; however, it is only required for those would wish to provide a comment during the hearing. To register, please visit www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges or call (860) 597-8226 and leave a voicemail with your full name and contact information. Registration will be accepted up to the day of the hearing and will remain open for the duration of the hearing.
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department of Transportation at (860) 594-2109 at least 5 business days prior to the hearing. Persons having a hearing and/or speech disability may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). Language assistance is provided at no cost and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
For more information on how to attend the public hearings, information on the proposed changes, and to access the SAFE analysis please visit: www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges.
The public comment period for the proposed service and fare changes and the SAFE analysis will run from April 29 to May 28, 2021. CTDOT encourages all members of the public to participate in one or more of the scheduled public hearings and/or submit written comments by mail to COMMENT ON PROPOSED FARE AND SERVICE CHANGES, Connecticut Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546; by email at dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov or by calling (860) 597-8226. CTDOT will review and consider all comments received during the public comment period and take those comments into consideration when approving the final service and fare proposal.
For general questions please email us dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov or call (860) 597-8226.
