Rail fares for Conn. commuter rail lines to rise

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — The second of three fare increases for riders of Connecticut's Shore Line East and the New Haven rail lines is set to take effect.

The Department of Transportation says starting on Jan. 1, fares will increase by an additional one-to-1.25 percent, on top of a four percent base fare increase.

Monthly tickets for sale in January will reflect the new fares. There are no increases planned on bus services.

DOT Commissioner James Redeker calls the fare increase "modest," and how it is the second in eight years. He says that, during that time, operating expenses grew by 12 percent due to inflation.

He says the alternative to raising fares would have been a reduction in service.

The revenues are being used to help pay for new rail cars.