The fourteen-member CT Commuter Rail Council, which advocates for rail commuters throughout the state, is advising General Assembly members and the public that two bills that have made it out of legislative committee meetings during the 2017 legislative session have important impacts to rail commuters.
The first bill is HB7278; An Act Concerning the Conveyance of Certain Parcels of State Land, which includes a proposal to sell New Haven’s Union Station to the City of New Haven for one million dollars, is strongly opposed by the Council.
“The Council, in its role as advocates of rail commuters throughout the State of Connecticut, opposes this bill because as it is written has too many unknowns,” Jim Gildea, Council Chairman, said.
The Council in concerned that, since Union Station was purchased with the assistance of the federal government and stipulations on land ownership and transfer could result in the forfeiture of federal monies and the subsequent repayment of federal monies to the FHRA.
Additionally, some properties, like the New Haven station, are income generating and money earmarked for the special transportation fund of the State of Connecticut capital reserve account might be lost.
“New Haven Union station generates 2.5 million dollars annually that is used for critical capital expenses along the New Haven line, benefitting all commuters. If the money were lost, riders would see an approximately a 1% fare increase, on top of other potential increases,” Mr. Gildea continued.
The second bill is HJ 41, Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the State Constitution Limiting the Use of Moneys in the Special Transportation Fund, would create a transportation funding “lockbox” and help ensure that money in the Special Transportation Fund can only be spent on transportation projects. The Council has endorsed this amendment.
Funds earmarked for transportation have been diverted in the past. This has been a common practice through the years. “The State has serious and critical transportation needs.
Without protected funds for large-scale transportation projects, we could find ourselves facing serious, dangerous transportation problems in the future and as a part of a group that represents the over one hundred thousand Connecticut main line, branch line, Shore Line East and soon the Hartford line riders, I can tell you that we hear first-hand of the impact poor rail transportation has on the state” Stephanie Gregerman, Council Secretary, added.
The Rail Council urges commuters to reach out to their State legislators and is happy to assist riders with communication or outreach.
The CT Commuter Rail Council is an independent state board that acts as an advocate for commuters throughout the state. Established in 2012 by the CT General Assembly, members monitor and investigate rail performance and recommend changes to improve commuter rail service. Visit www.ctcommuterrailcouncil.org for more information.
