Talking Transportation 2023
Cuts in Connecticut Train Service Coming
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As predicted in this column, the legislature has approved Gov. Ned Lamont’s new budget, which will cause cuts in train service in the state. WHY THE CUTS? Post-COVID train ridership has not returned as fast as CDOT or Metro-North had hoped or predicted, stabilizing now at about 71% of pre-2020 numbers. Though it looks like passenger loads are increasing (with more anecdotal reports of SRO conditions at rush hour), the lack of riders means huge, unsustainable losses. HOW BIG A CUT IS COMING?