Commuters want train upgrades to go with fare hikes

Fairfield, Conn. (WTNH) - The new year means shelling out more money for the price of a Metro-North ticket.

The new year means new fares for the Metro North New Haven Line. However, riders say if they're going to pay more, they'd like to get more.

"I'd like to have a new train," said Newtown resident Brian Leary. "It's always breaking down and it's cold."

"And also a lot of trains are short and cold, so providing they can improve on the service, it's well worth it," said Mazetta Ford-Medina from Trumbull.

"If they get the new trains running it would be nice, and that's part of the reason for the increase, so the service should come with it," said Fairfield resident Jim Push.

Out of the dozens of trains News 8 saw going through the Fairfield Metro station Tuesday morning, 2 had the new M-8 cars. Part of the 5.3% fare hike is to pay for these new cars.

More new cars are coming, but so are more fare hikes; there will be a four percent increase a year for the next three years. New Haven line riders haven't had a fare hike in seven years, but there have been frequent equipment problems.

The DOT says it's a modest fair increase that shares the burden between commuters and other taxpayers. The five percent this year means someone buying a monthly pass from New Haven to Grand Central will pay about $20 more a month. Commuters say driving would cost a lot more.

"Tolls, wear and tear on my car, this is still a lot cheaper," said Fairfield's Brad Bradley.

"I work in Manhattan," said Easton resident Jay Stuck. "You gotta pay what you gotta pay."