Audit questions Conn. DOT handling of garage money

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut auditors are questioning the state Department of Transportation's handling of millions of dollars in fees collected from parking garages at the Bridgeport and Stamford train stations.

The report released by state auditors this week comes as state officials consider increasing rail fares more than 16 percent on Metro-North's New Haven Line.

The auditors say the DOT has been collecting more in parking revenue from the two garages than is needed for property management expenses since 2005. The surplus revenues totaled $6.1 million last year and $7.4 million in 2009.

Auditors also say the DOT advanced nearly $8 million to Metro-North in 2009 and 2010 to avoid having to return the money to the state's Special Transportation fund.

DOT officials say their use of the funds has been proper.