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A Winning Situation

I am dismayed to read of possible cuts to Shore Line East’s (SLE) services and capital programs. While modest increases in fares could be justified, it is essential to Old Saybrook’s economy to have a viable commuter rail service. The state needs to promote SLE through more advertising and highway signage. Anyone sitting in an I-95 traffic jam would consider taking the train if they knew more about it. Recently the state rebuilt the Old Saybrook train station and added parking lots to accommodate commuters and improve traffic congestion on I-95. Much of the funding for rail improvements and operations is federally subsidized.

The state needs to put electronic tolls on a fast track as a means to improve the Special Transportation Fund. Some of the toll revenue could be used for rail services and in today’s electronic age, tolls can be tweaked to give state residents a commuter break. We need to end the free ride for out-of-state cars and trucks and simultaneously improve rail services. This can only be a winning situation for Old Saybrook.

Brien J. Robertson

Old Saybrook