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02/21/2018 10:03 AMFeb. 21, 2018 – State Rep. Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) is urging Guilford and Branford residents who utilize Shore Line East to submit testimony to the Department of Transportation about the agency's proposed fare increases and service reductions on the popular rail line.
"Shore Line East is a vital resource for our region when it comes to public transportation and economic development," Scanlon said. "I believe that scaling back service would be a huge mistake and I urge my constituents who utilize Shore Line East to share their thoughts with the Department of Transportation."
The DOT announced on Jan. 30 that it would terminate all weekend and off-peak service on Shore Line East as of July 1 because of an estimated $60 million budget shortfall for transit and rail accounts. The next day, Scanlon organized a press conference at the Guilford train station that included Democratic and Republican leaders from the towns along the rail line who declared their opposition to the cuts.
"As a member of the Transportation Committee, I fully understand the DOT's budget constraints and the need for the legislature to come up with a long term solution to solve our infrastructure needs," Scanlon said. "Until that happens, we need to prioritize spending in tough times based on what works and what doesn't and we know from ridership data that Shore Line East is working."
According to the DOT, an average of 1,927 passengers use Shore Line East each weekday and 778 use it on weekends.
Residents may submit testimony between now and March 9, 2018, at COMMENT ON PROPOSED FARE AND SERVICE CHANGES, Connecticut Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546 or via email at dot.farecomments@ct.gov.