New Canaan stands to see an approximately 5% reduction in weekday train service this fall, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Under an analysis that’s required any time the state agency proposes fare changes or major service changes, the New Canaan branch line will see a reduction in weekday service from 41 to 39 trains per day, according to a press release from the DOT.
Ridership on the New Canaan line is down about 45% year-to-date in 2023 compared to 2019, according to the DOT.
Metro-North Railroad in Connecticut also would see fare increases under the proposed changes, the DOT said.
“Fares are critical to CTDOT and its service providers’ ability to operate a safe and reliable transportation system, while helping to support rising costs,” the state said in its analysis. “To address the loss of fare revenue, CTDOT proposes to increase fares for Metro-North Railroad services in Connecticut, Shore Line East, and the Hartford Line. Each rail line would experience a slightly different percent increase due to the need to raise one-way fares by 25 cent increments.”
The average change for what the DOT calls “Average Medium Fare Price” on Metro-North Railroad would increase from $51.18 to $52.49, according to the analysis.
The state will hold four public hearings on the proposed changes, starting Oct. 2.
Halted since Memorial Day for track work, service on the New Canaan branch line resumed Sept. 2. Officials said last month that the state was weighing a change to the fall schedule for New Canaan and other Metro-North branch lines.