by Mona Mahadevan The New Haven independent
MTA board member Neal Zuckerman: “I don’t think this is an affordability solution. This is a harming gesture to the riders.”
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board in New York City voted Wednesday to raise fares on Connecticut Metro-North Railroad riders by 10 percent through July 2026, a move that will increase peak-hour ticket prices between New Haven’s Union Station and Manhattan’s Grand Central by nearly $3 each way.
The board took that 14 – 0 vote during its latest monthly meeting, which was held in person at 2 Broadway in Manhattan as well as online via Zoom.
The proposal for across-the-board fare hikes was introduced by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), which said higher prices are needed to offset rising maintenance costs, cover workforce expenses, and address funding gaps created by the state’s 2026 – 2027 biennial budget.
In a press release published after MTA’s decision, CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto reiterated, “These fare increases will help maintain existing rail service levels by keeping the same number of trains on the schedule for our customers.”
Under the plan, fares will climb by 5 percent in September 2025 and again in July 2026. For rush-hour commuters riding between New Haven and New York City, that means a one-way ticket will soon cost $27.75, a $2.75 increase from the current price of $24.50. Off-peak fares will also rise, from $18.25 to $20.25.
In addition to the New Haven Line, the rate hikes affect all Metro-North lines in Connecticut, including the New Canaan, Danbury, and Waterbury branches, as well as the CTrail Hartford and Shoreline East services.
According to an MTA staff summary report, the hikes are projected to yield an additional $1.4 million in net revenue in 2025, $16.1 million in 2026, and $20.5 million in 2027. For context, MTA Chair John Lieber noted that CTDOT contributed $265 million to MTA services last year, enough to cover its intra-state branch lines and Connecticut’s portion of the New Haven Line.
A few New Yorkers voiced concerns about the proposal, including Christian Joseph of the Fare Ain’t Fair Coalition. He said over 1,000 New Yorkers signed a petition calling the planned fare hikes throughout Connecticut and New York “unacceptable.”
Another speaker, Joseph Morales, critiqued the board for making the decision without voting representation from New Haven and Fairfield counties. He added that New York suburbanites are entitled to votes on the board, even though they likely use MTA services less frequently than Connecticut commuters.
Just one speaker spoke in support of the plan: Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee (PCAC) to the MTA. She described the hike as fiscally responsible, saying “smaller, planned increases are critical to keep the system in good financial health and in good operation.”
She added that the hike could be paired with affordability measures, such as expanding the Fair Fares program for low-income New Yorkers and allowing seniors to use discounts during peak hours.
Though the proposal passed unanimously, some MTA board members acknowledged the magnitude of the increase at Monday’s committee meeting, and again before voting on Wednesday.
“I don’t like the size of it. I don’t like the short-term nature of so many increases,” said Neal Zuckerman, who represents Dutchess County, Orange County, and Rockland. “I don’t think this is an affordability solution. This is a harming gesture to the riders.”
Zuckerman still supported the initiative, citing an argument from Long Island Rail Road/Metro-North Co-Chair Samuel Chu.
“We had a lot of jurisdictions outside of our jurisdiction telling us how we should fund ourselves, and didn’t recognize our autonomy to respond to our needs,” said Chu. “We have our jurisdiction. We have our purview. I think it’s appropriate we reciprocate our expectations” with Connecticut.
Zuckerman agreed, adding that Connecticut’s fare schedule is “the responsibility of the Connecticut legislature,” despite the MTA’s formal consideration.
After a few more comments, the board unanimously approved what was emphatically described as “the Connecticut-proposed fare increase.”