9 Town Transit sets hearings on fare hikes, service cuts

9 Town Transit plans to hold public hearings on proposed bus fare increases and service reductions as the transit district prepares for a potential 15 percent cut in state funding beginning July 1.

The state Department of Transportation has informed transit districts that they will face a 15 percent cut unless the General Assembly adds more revenue to the Special Transportation Fund.

According to a news release, the transit district is proposing to raise fares for the second time in 18 months. Fares would rise from $1.75 to $2 on bus routes and to $4 on Dial-ARide.

Proposed service reductions include:

Eliminating the senior fare subsidy, which means seniors would pay a fare on all services for the first time in 37 years;

Reducing service on Route 2 Riverside (between Chester and Old Saybrook) by eight hours per weekday.

Eliminating all Saturday service;

Reducing service on Route 1 Shoreline Shuttle by three hours per day (7:30 a.m. trip leaving Old Saybrook: 9 a.m. trip leaving Madison).

The hearings will be held May 1 at 2 p.m. at Deep River Town Hall, 174 Main St., Deep River; May 2 at 9 a.m. at the Clinton Town Hall Green Room, 54 E. Main St., Clinton; and May 3 at 5 p.m. at the Mulvey Municipal Center (Multi-Media Room), 866 Boston Post Road, Westbrook.

People can also provide written comments by submitting them at the hearing, emailing info@estuarytransit.org, or mailing comments to 9 Town Transit, 17 Industrial Park Drive, Suite 6, Centerbrook, CT 06409.

The transit district also said in the news release that it is encouraging people to contact their state legislators. More information is available at www.9towntransit.com/fundtransit.