Gov. Malloy expresses strong opposition to potential MTA fare hike

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today expressed his concern over reports that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will seek a fare increase from Connecticut commuters next year. In a letter to MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast, Governor Malloy challenged the necessity and timing of MTA's plan to increase fares citing a financial plan released last week by MTA that shows the quasi-public transportation agency has already incurred substantial cost savings to date.

Governor Malloy wrote, "Our approved budget is predicated on no new fare increase in the State of Connecticut. It should go without saying that Connecticut expects Metro-North to control expenses and to live within the adopted budget for 2015.

"In the financial plan released last week, the MTA touts significant expense savings, but calls for fare increases in 2015 and 2017 that could impact the New Haven Line. Those points don't seem to add up. I would like a full accounting of Connecticut's share of the proposed savings that were reported in the budget plan."

Governor Malloy asked MTA to provide the requested information to Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker as soon as possible.

*To view Governor Malloy's letter to MTA, please click here: http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/lib/malloy/2014.08.14_gov_malloy_ltr_on_mta_fares.pdf

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