Fares increasing for public transportation  

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WATERBURY — Bus and rail fares are set to increase in December.

The proposed increases would take effect on Dec. 1 on Metro-North Railroad and on Dec. 4 on CTtransit buses. The new bus fees are proposed to allow for the implementation of a new account-based smart card fare payment system, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The DOT will hold a hearing on proposed bus and rail fare increases on Sept. 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Silas Bronson Library, 267 Grand St.

For information, including the proposed rail and bus fare tables, visit www.ct.gov/dot/farecomments. Comments on the fare changes can be emailed to dot.farecomments@ct.gov or mailed to: Comment on Fare Changes, Bureau of Public Transportation, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546.

The comment period closes Sept. 15.

On local CT Transit buses, the one-way cash fare rate would increase from $1.50 to $1.75. A two-hour unlimited trip would increase from $1.50 to $1.75, and a senior/disabled one-way fare would increase from 75 cents to 85 cents.

A newly established senior/disabled, two-hour unlimited trip would also cost 85 cents.

An all-day local pass would increase from $3 to $3.50. A new senior/disabled all-day local pass would cost $1.70. The price of bulk tickets would increase as well.

CTfastrak feeder routes, which use CT Transit Express buses and travel between the New Britain-to-Hartford busway and Waterbury, Cheshire and Southington, will increase as well.

On Metro-North Railroad, a monthly pass from a Waterbury branch station to Grand Central Terminal would increase from $422 to $447. A one-way, peak fare from the Waterbury branch to Grand Central would increase from $19.50 to $20.50.

Meanwhile, a one-way trip from a Waterbury branch station to Bridgeport will remain $2.75 under the new pricing scheme. A monthly pass on the Waterbury branch would increase from $52 to $55.