A proposal by the General Assembly's Appropriations Committee in March for Connecticut bus riders from Gov. Malloy's budget proposal was approved by the Senate earlier this week, however, Metro-North riders will still face the increase in January, according to the Stamford Advocate.
Connecticut Rail Commuter Council Chairman Jim Cameron told the Advocate that he was "profoundly disappointed" that the legislature chose to depend on funds from the Special Transportation Fund and the commuters to close the budget deficit.
Gov. Malloy's proposed budget included three consecutive years of four-percent fare increases, which according to Office of Policy & Management Secretary Benjamin Barnes, said would bring in about $4 million. The state also faces cuts in transportation spending, including a $30 million reduction Town Aid Road grants and a $24 million reduction in proposed bonding for transportation projects.
